WHEREAS, The dairy farmers of Washington are working hard to
provide safe, nutritious dairy products for the families of Washington
State; and
WHEREAS, There are approximately 570 family dairy farms in
Washington State with approximately 240,000 dairy cows; and
WHEREAS, The average herd size in Washington State is approximately
420 cows, each cow produces approximately 90 glasses of milk per day -
totaling an average of 37,800 glasses per herd, per day; and
WHEREAS, Washington State ranks 10th in total milk production in
the United States with 5.6 billion pounds annually; and
WHEREAS, Washington State ranks first in milk and butterfat per cow
production with 22,780 pounds of milk and 834 pounds of butterfat; and
WHEREAS, Dairy farming brings an estimated $4.5 billion annually to
Washington's economy; and
WHEREAS, Milk processing jobs help employment growth in Washington
- every $1 million in finished milk product is responsible for 20 jobs
in our state; and
WHEREAS, The Washington State Dairy Ambassadors for 2004-2005 are
Ambassador McKenzie Klein from Lynden and alternate Ambassadors Kristen
Irving from Fall City and Laura Nelson from Chehalis; and
WHEREAS, Dairy Day at the Legislature will be February 2, 2005,
when the legislators will visit with the dairy producers of the state
and enjoy the 2,500 ice cream bars that will be handed out by the
Washington State Dairy Federation and the State and County Dairy
Ambassadors;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate
acknowledge and honor the women and men whose work on dairy farms
throughout Washington has contributed much to the strength and vitality
of our economy, the character of our communities, and the general
well-being of our citizens; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be
immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Washington
State Dairy Ambassador McKenzie Klein, alternate ambassadors Kristen
Irving and Laura Nelson, and the Washington State Dairy Federation.