How Life-Size Cows Made of Butter Became an Iconic Symbol of the Midwest

The Midwest's iconic life-size butter cows have sparked a lively discussion about the value and waste of this beloved Iowa State Fair tradition. While some commenters cringed at the idea of reusing butter for a decade, others saw it as a clever way to scale back waste, with one noting that a single cow is "not so bad" compared to the EU's infamous "butter mountain." As commenters weighed in on the $3000 worth of butter used, they also touched on the dairy industry's influence and the perceived value of such displays, with one wryly observing that "the definition of caring about it is because you can see it." The debate reveals a mix of fascination, disgust, and skepticism about the role of dairy in American culture.

Snapshot generated from the HN discussion