Tough Times for Dairy Farmers
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: June 9, 2012
Tough times continue to plague the dairy industry. While dairy farmers battle increasing production costs each day, the retailers are actually making a steady profit. And it's leaving dairy farmers with a sour taste.
"Retailers are benefiting and reaping profits at the expense of the dairy farmer who is bleeding and losing equity right now," says dairy farmer Debbie Windecker.
Central New York's dairy farms have faced an uncertain market the past decade. As feed and fuel costs are on the rise, dairy farmers are facing a lower profit every day.
"We're gonna see as much volatility in the market as we ever had. Whether its on fuel or feed or milk prices or gas prices," says dairy farmer Jeff Donahoe.
And Windecker says it's not fair for dairy farmers. Retailers are making more of a profit because they have the power to control.
"Milk is a staple that everyone needs so they know regardless of the price, everyone will buy it. But under this dynamics, not everyone benefits and that's unfortunate that we can't look at the greater good of all to have a fair price."
Windecker and Donahoe hope for the best, but say the future is not promising.
"Our farms are a blood supply to our communities that are our heart and we're all struggling. You can see the farms that are abandoned in the Mohawk Valley and that's what we're gonna continue to see," says Windecker.
"Retailers are benefiting and reaping profits at the expense of the dairy farmer who is bleeding and losing equity right now," says dairy farmer Debbie Windecker.
Central New York's dairy farms have faced an uncertain market the past decade. As feed and fuel costs are on the rise, dairy farmers are facing a lower profit every day.
"We're gonna see as much volatility in the market as we ever had. Whether its on fuel or feed or milk prices or gas prices," says dairy farmer Jeff Donahoe.
And Windecker says it's not fair for dairy farmers. Retailers are making more of a profit because they have the power to control.
"Milk is a staple that everyone needs so they know regardless of the price, everyone will buy it. But under this dynamics, not everyone benefits and that's unfortunate that we can't look at the greater good of all to have a fair price."
Windecker and Donahoe hope for the best, but say the future is not promising.
"Our farms are a blood supply to our communities that are our heart and we're all struggling. You can see the farms that are abandoned in the Mohawk Valley and that's what we're gonna continue to see," says Windecker.
