Darrel Aubertine's job as the head honcho at the Department of Agriculture and Markets doesn't afford him much time to know who Russell Simmons is, or what he says about milk.

But it does give him a unique perspective on the state's official beverage: He's a proponent of it, and he'll say it 'til the cows come home, no matter what Mr. Simmons, a rap media mogul, has to say.

Mr. Simmons, a vegan, said that New York should no longer count milk as its official state beverage (there's much ado in this state about sustenance, as evidenced by last year's simmering debate over the official state vegetable).

"I clearly disagree with him," Mr. Aubertine said at an editorial board meeting today. "I would ask, What do you think the official beverage should be?"

Your move, Mr. Simmons.

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