In the past decade alone, domestic per-capita consumption of cheese is up 19% and per-capita butter consumption is up 18.1%.

Here is what is happening in dairy-related news as we start the final month of the year: Fluid milk sales declined in September, Trump nominates Brooke Rollins for secretary of agriculture, Holstein updates pedigrees with slick gene label, and new dairy innovations are promoted.

Here is your dairy-related news for the third week in September.

As June approaches, dairy producers and the dairy industry gear up for a monthlong celebration of all things dairy. June Dairy Month, a tradition dating back to 1937, continues to honor the contributions of dairy farmers, the delicious products they produce and the vital role dairy plays in our daily lives.

Dairy has not escaped the influencing trend – in fact, it’s been the focus of a nutrition beat. Cottage cheese and Greek yogurt boast a healthy portion of protein (25 grams and 17 grams per cup, respectively) prompting health-conscious consumers to create unique recipes incorporating the dairy products.

The FDA recently approved the first-ever qualified health claim for yogurt, recognizing a potential link between its regular consumption and a reduced risk of type-2 diabetes. This is significant news for consumers, yogurt manufacturers and the dairy industry.