In response to Sophia DiPietro's letter, "Dairy industry not truthful of cruelty" (SN 11/08), regarding the dairy industry, I'm sorry she doesn't see the humor in the latest "got milk" advertisement.

How dare the dairy industry spend $200 million trying to get you to consume their products. I'm sure the companies they compete against for your beverage dollars, such as Coca-Cola Co. or Pepsi-Cola Co., hardly spend anything trying to get you to consume their nutritious products. I can't even remember the last time I saw a Pepsi ad.

As far as dairy products helping you lose weight, it's the calcium that helps you lose weight. There is no better source of readily available calcium for your body than dairy products. So I guess the dairy industry isn't kidding anybody, they're just presenting you with the truth.

I would suggest DiPietro go to the United Dairy Industry of Michigan Web site at www.udim.org for further information on the topic, rather than just assuming it's a "boondoggle." I'm sure she will find the weight-loss claims are based on solid scientific evidence.

Apparently, animal behavior majors should be required to take an animal science class. If she did, I'm sure DiPietro would find out that in no uncertain terms "happy cows" make more milk. That is, the more comfortable a cow or any other animal used in animal agriculture is, the more productive it will be.

As a dairy farmer, the more comfortable a cow is, the more milk she will make and the more money I'll make. I'm sure you can find plenty of studies in the library if you care to take the time to check the facts.

Why would I abuse the animals that help me make a living or the environment directly around me? Farmers are stewards of the land — we depend on it from generation to generation. It's against our best interest to destroy it or the environment.

Dan Minnis
2000 graduate