USDA Promotes Whole Milk And Nostalgia With Trump’s Milk Mustache

Got whole milk? The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it’s time to “drink up.”

On Jan. 11, the USDA shared a social media post featuring President Donald Trump with a milk mustache, reminiscent of the classic “Got Milk?” ads. The image, accompanied by the hashtag #DrinkWholeMilk, has already racked up millions of views and thousands of comments online.

The post is part of a broader initiative under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who on Jan. 7 released new dietary guidelines emphasizing full-fat dairy, protein, and “healthy fats.” In the updated food pyramid, grains—once the foundation of a healthy diet—have been moved to the smallest category, while protein, dairy, fats, fruits, and vegetables now dominate the top.

The shift has sparked debate among nutrition experts. Full-fat dairy is a rich source of protein, calcium, and fat-soluble vitamins, and it can help people feel full longer. But experts caution that high intake of saturated fat—such as from whole milk, cheese, and butter—can quickly exceed the recommended daily limit of 10% of calories from saturated fats.

The American Heart Association urged caution in response to the guidelines, recommending low-fat or fat-free dairy options for heart health. Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health also noted that three servings of full-fat dairy a day could nearly reach the daily saturated fat limit for a 2,000-calorie diet, even before factoring in other protein and fat sources.

Wyoming, a state with a significant livestock industry, has been watching the USDA’s guidelines closely. Now the public waits and watches how the new recommendations impact local farmers, school nutrition programs, and public health initiatives.

The USDA under President Trump also focused on supporting farmers with policies including $12 billion in “Farmer Bridge Payments” for market disruptions, promotion of biofuels like E15, and new crop insurance programs. These actions aimed to prioritize domestic food production while promoting whole foods and reducing processed foods in the American diet.

While some celebrate the push toward whole-fat dairy as a return to more natural, nutrient-rich foods, others remain skeptical, questioning the link between saturated fat and heart health, and raising concerns about the influence of the dairy industry.

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The 2017 Census of Agriculture shows Wyoming producers operate the largest farms and ranches across the United States with an average of 2,430 acres per farm, over five times the national average size (USDA).

The state ranked No.1 in wool production with 2,796,792 pounds shorn coming from 859 farms and ranches raising sheep in Wyoming.

There were just shy of 12,000 farms in the state at that time and the numbers show a notable amount of young producers, age 35 or less, increasing.

A few other interesting Wyoming agricultural facts:

• Net farm income increased by 13 percent to $22,314 per farm.
• Wyoming ranked first amongst all states in wool production.
• Laramie County ranked eighth amongst all U.S. counties for market value of sheep, goat, wool, mohair, and milk products sold.
• Cattle and calves account for 65 percent of all agricultural products sold.
• 94 percent of farms are held by a family and 80 percent have internet access.
• Agribusiness and recreational income more than doubled from 2012 and ranked sixth nationwide.

The University of Wyoming College of Agriculture’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics reported that agriculture has a $2.526 billion impact on the state in 2021.

There are more than 12,200 farms in Wyoming that use a combined 29 million acres to raise livestock and grow crops. Cattle and hay have the biggest production value: there were 1.25 million head of cattle and calves and 940,000 acres of hay harvested each year.

What Does the Future of Farming and Ranching in Wyoming Look Like?

While Wyoming is already a significant agricultural state, particularly in ranching and wool production, there are opportunities to expand crop production through innovation and targeted programs.

There are several challenges to increasing crop production in the Cowboy State including its harsh climate, drought, soil issues, and market isolation. The Wyoming Department of Agriculture's Specialty program is assisting producers, however, in growing crops that aren't typically suited to the state's climate using various techniques. Furthermore, there's an interest in growing and marketing ancient grains like farro and spelt that do better in Wyoming's climate and offer unique nutritional benefits. The University of Wyoming's Agriculture Extension has been pivotal in researching said-crops and donating large yields to the Food Bank of Wyoming.

READ ALSO: 3,000 Pounds of Ancient Grain Farro Donated to Hungry Wyomingites