Make Sure You Watch the Video
By WBNG News
You may have noticed a staple on your shopping list is costing less these days.
Multimedia
Dairy prices have fallen 50 percent in the last year
But as Action News Reporter Jessica Light tells us, it could drain local dairy farms.
Dairy isn’t exactly a cash cow these days.
A drop in consumption has slashed prices in half.
Leaving local farmers like Judi Whittaker struggling to milk a profit.
“Your really going to have to pick and choose, what you pay and who you pay.” says Judi Whittaker, Co-Owner of Whittaker Farms in the Town of Nanticoke.
For every hundred weight of milk these cows make, it costs the Whittaker Farm about 15 dollars to produce.
Now they sell that same amount of milk for only 10 dollars.
The difference comes from the farm’s equity, if equity is there.
But for many local farms, its not.
Whittaker thinks 5 to 10 dairy farms in Broome will go under this year.
Chenango County’s no different.
“The type of operation they are, once that farm goes, once that’s subdivided, that’s period, end of sentence. You don’t go down the road and build another warehouse and start egg production.” says Bradd Vickers, President of the Chenango County Farm Bureau.
Dairy is the number one agriculture industry in New York.
But Vickers says that may change if prices stay low.
The Whittaker farm is re-thinking cow and machinery purchases.
But with spring in sight, seasonal costs come into play.
Fertilizer and fuel, Feed and seed.
“You aren’t in agriculture if you aren’t in for a roller coaster ride. It goes up and down. If you place yourself well, you can ride the ups and downs.” says Whittaker.
Farmers say you can make that ride a little smoother by buying local.
Next time your at the market for milk, check the label.
The number 36 means it came from New York cows.
In the Town of Nanticoke, Jessica Light, WBNG-TV Action News.
US Senator Charles Schumer is asking the USDA to help by investing in milk powder and promoting dairy exports.
Chenango County Farm Bureau President, Bradd Vickers believes the focus should be on cheese.
Government-run food banks and nutrition programs could buy more, which could boost dairy demand and prices
