Opinion

Guest Column: Got milk? Whole or low-fat?

RBC | I drink whole milk and so does my family. The pendulum is swinging away from the low and no-fat milk recommendations back to whole milk for health. I could fill your in-box with recent articles, research and evidence to this point. Whole milk is a part of our human history. Whole milk was key to helping children thrive during the depression. Protein, fat, fluid and satiation comes from milk. In case you are too young to have experience milking cows, here is an excerpt from a registered dietitian and ranch wife’s memoirs that explain it well.
Milk cows were essential for the food supply and nutrition of rural families in early Northwest Colorado. Good milk-producing Holsteins or the hardy red Shorthorns were commonplace on farms and ranches. Most milk cows were ‘creatures of habit’ as they dutifully came to the milking barn at regular times, morning and evening. They learned their ‘order’ in the barn and who claimed the first stanchion and who the next.
A 2 ½ gallon galvanized pail was commonly used and milk then emptied into a larger container after each cow was milked. Milkers sat on their choice of stools. A T-shaped stool allowed for quick movement away from the cow if she started to kick. Kicking cows could be ‘hobbled’ to protect the milker and the pail of milk, a cow’s dirty, swishing tail could be trapped against the cow’s leg with the milker’s knee.
The warm milk was carried to the house for straining and sometimes ‘separating’. A cream separator was important equipment in rural homes. Hand turning the handle of the separator was good exercise. Centrifugal force spun the cream out a spout separate from the skimmed milk spout. Skim milk was then used to make cottage cheese. Larger amounts were fed to the family’s pigs and chickens. Cream was used in sauces or made into butter for the family. Children drank whole, fresh, un-pasteurized, non-homogenized milk with every meal.
Many people are developing an interest in whole milk again. “Cow shares” are becoming more and more common. A cow share is when a group of families own a cow together and share the milk among them. While I advocate for people developing an understanding of where their food comes from, raising it yourself when you can and consuming the least processed varieties—be careful. Q fever is one of many bad things people can get from not cleaning the cows udder or managing the milk properly. If you are thinking of having your own milk cow, or sharing one, stop by the extension office or do some “google” research to insure safety.
Then enjoy whole milk guilt-free knowing that science is beginning to support you, too!

BY JULIE DRAKE | SPECIAL TO THE HERALD TIMES

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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
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6 days ago
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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
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