Arkansas Scrub Cow Extinction

While researching for information about agriculture history in Benton County, I learned  how the dairy industry evolved in Northwest Arkansas. In the late 1920's and early 1930's, Arkansas "scrub" cows produced not more than a gallon or two of milk a day and had a butterfat content lower than today's standards. With limited production from the family cow and only occasional surplus to sell, most farmers were content with status quo. Status quo was pushed out of the way in the early 1930's by drought and disease that opened the door to improved cattle genetics that lead to improved milk production without increasing the feed cost. Dairy herd improvements led to the extinction of the Arkansas "scrub"cow.

Extinction of the Arkansas "scrub" cow brought increased productivity that led to the development of markets for the milk. In 1947 Kraft opened the Bentonville plant. It was recorded that 740 producers provided 77,000 pounds of milk in 10 gallon cans on 18 routes. The plant was originally equipped to produce cheddar cheese but later changed to Swiss production. Today the plant produces cheese product ingredients.

On opening day of the Kraft Plant, five thousand people came to the rural town of Bentonville to celebrate and tour the plant. It was stated that people came from four states in wagons,battered pick-up trucks,and on horseback. I found this even more interesting when my mother told me that she was marching in the parade with the Bentonville High School Band for this special celebration!
 

Learning about Benton County's dairy industry history has given me a greater appreciation for the hard work and dedication of Arkansas dairy farmers and industry leaders that blazed the trail for the fourth generation of dairy farmers in my own family! 

June Dairy Month Recipe

The Arkansas Dairy Foods Contest is a great way to celebrate June Dairy Month! Although Arkansas Farm Bureau has sponsored this contest for many years, it was my first time to attend this very special dairy event.
I was amazed at the composure of the eight 4-H contestants   as they worked to prepare and present their recipes to the three judges. From the efficiency and organization displayed by each youth, it was obvious there must have been a lot of practice in the kitchen to prepare for this  event.  Congratulations to the contest participants for a job well done!

I'm sharing the winning recipe of the  main dish category prepared by Ashton Yarbrough from Benton County.

Chicken Chili Lasagna

Ingredients:
2 packages (3oz) cream cheese,softened
1 medium onion,chopped
8 green onions,chopped
2 cups shredded Mexican-cheese blend,divided
2 garlic cloves,minced
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin,divided
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh cilantro or parsley
3 cups shredded chicken
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 can (4oz) chopped green chilies,drained
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
12 flour tortillas (6inch),halved

Directions:
In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese,onions,1 1/2 cups Mexican cheese blend, garlic,1/4 tsp. cumin, and cilantro. Stir in chicken;set aside. In a saucepan,melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add chicken broth. Remove from the heat. Stir in Monterey Jack cheese,sour cream,chilies,thyme,salt,pepper, and remaining cumin. Spread 1/2 cup of the cheese sauce in a greased 13x9x2 in. baking dish. Top with six tortilla halves,a third of the chicken mixture and a fourth of the cheese sauce. Repeat tortilla,chicken and cheese sauce layers twice. Top with remaining tortillas,cheese sauce and Mexican cheese. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 minutes longer or until heated through. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.
Yield: 12 servings

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Winning a trophy at the Dairy Days cattle show is a perfect part of June Dairy Month in Benton County.

   I'm thankful for all the dairy farm families and 4-H  friends that come together  to celebrate June Dairy Days!

Milk's Merits

I never questioned my mother when she told me to drink all my milk  but with the many food choices available to us, it's important to know that all  milk has merit.  Whether you choose to drink regular or flavored, whole,2%,1% or skim milk, all kinds of milk have nine essential nutrients.  Healthy nutritional choices are important in every age and stage of life. Dairy foods provide essential nutrients for good health and are an excellent way to build a healthier diet. Milk's nine essential merits include:

• Calcium--helps build and maintain healthy bones and teeth
• Potassium--regulates the body's fluid balance and helps maintain normal blood pressure plus aids in normal muscle activity and contraction
• Phosphorus--helps strengthen bones and generate energy in the body's cells
• Protein--builds and repairs muscle tissue and serves as source of energy
• Vitamin D--promotes the absorption of calcium and enhances bone strength
• Vitamin A--maintains normal vision and skin and important to bone growth
• Vitamin B12--helps maintain healthy red blood cells and nerve cells
• Riboflavin--helps convert food into energy and important to normal eyesight and healthy skin
• Niacin--helps bodies digest sugars and fatty acids

In case you question your mother's advice or just want to learn more about the nutritional and economical benefits of milk,more information can be found at http://www.dairymakessense.com or http://www.midwestdairy.com.

   June Dairy Month is the perfect time to celebrate Milk's Merits!

Double Dip Celebration

It's fitting that a dairy farmer celebrates his birthday during June Dairy Month!  June 3rd will mark a record number of 58 birthday cakes my dairy farmer husband has enjoyed on his special day.  His requested birthday cake  this year was  applesauce cake. I used the recipe I found in my mother-in-law's recipe file but unfortunately, there's no recipe for the icing.  Until I find the icing recipe that was almost like a vanilla candy, I'm using the butter frosting  recipe found in my old faithful Better Homes and Garden cookbook. It will have a double dip  of vanilla ice cream on top so maybe he won't notice it's not just like his mama made!

Mom-Bonnah's Applesauce Cake

Ingredients:

2 cups applesauce
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1 cup raisins
1 cup black walnuts
2 Tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2  teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and lightly flour 9x 11 pyrex baking dish.
Mix sugar,flour,and spices. Soak raisins in water till they plump then drain and squeeze dry; mix with flour mixture. Heat applesauce with butter; add soda. Fold applesauce mixture into flour mixture. Fold nuts into mixture.  Pour into prepared pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. 


Buttercream Icing
6 tablespoons butter
3 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
Light Cream (about 1/4 cup)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

Cream butter; gradually add about half the sugar,blending well. Beat in 2 tablespoons cream and vanilla. Gradually blend in remaining sugar. Add enough cream to make of spreading consistency.

                                           I love celebrating birthdays with this dairy farmer!
                                              June Dairy Month is perfect for a Double Dip!

June Dairy Month Celebrates Health

It's a perfect theme for June Dairy Month--Healthy People,Healthy Communities,Healthy Planet! It was pure coincidence that I attended a nursing continuing education program today on osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease that weakens the bones and commonly leads to fractures of the wrist,hip and spine due to compromised bone strength. As Dr. Wright, a practicing geriatrician, presented facts about the benefits of dairy products in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, I felt very proud to be a dairy farmer working every day to produce nutritious,healthy milk.

Prevention of osteoporosis begins in childhood with an adequate intake of calcium that is important to bone health. Milk and other dairy foods are the perfect choice in helping to prevent a disease that threatens 52 million Americans and costs seventeen billion dollars in direct medical care. June Dairy Month is the perfect time to celebrate a product that provides health and wellness for all of us consumers! It's a fact that milk,cheese and yogurt play a critical role in the diets of children and adults by providing nine essential nutrients, including calcium,magnesium,potassium, and phosphorus, in addition to 48 percent daily value of protein.


Although every day is a celebration on the dairy farm as we produce high quality milk by taking care of our cows and the land, June Dairy Month gives us a unique opportunity to participate in fun activities with our community like other dairy farm families across America. You can find great information about dairy,learn how others are celebrating June Dairy Month and find a lot of tasty dairy recipes at: http://www.midwestdairy.com or http://www.dairymakessense.com.

I hope you'll celebrate with us. Let the party begin--Happy June Dairy Month! 

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Our pastures and crops are thirsting for a good soaking rain.

 I'm thankful for the little bit of  rain this  week and hopeful for more to come.