2.11.2009

Low Prices Lead to Tough Times for Iowa Dairy Families

All Iowa dairy farm families are feeling the crunch of much lower farm milk prices. According to the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), "the current price that farmers get for bottled milk is down nearly 50% from last winter, and just the drop from January to February alone is more than 40 cents per gallon." A slow economy, decrease in dairy exports, high on farm input costs and more milk production than demand all play into the low prices. While everyone is feeling the strain of the economy and making cutbacks, NMPF reminds us that, "penny for penny, no other food offers as much nutritional value for America’s families as milk."

Milk Cheaper, Dairy Farmers Struggle (KWWL)
The story and video (click Dairy Farmers above Ms. Wagner's picture to view video) feature Hansen's Farm Fresh Dairy of Hudson, Iowa.
http://www.kwwl.com/Global/story.asp?s=9815292

Low Prices Hurt Farmers (WOI)
Visit the site below featuring Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President and dairy farmer, Craig Lang of Brooklyn, Iowa.
http://www.woi-tv.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=3429824&h1=Low%20Prices%20Hurt%20Farmers&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=102500&LaunchPageAdTag=Search%20Results&activePane=info&rnd=55041599