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Grassroots |
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| The Voice of New York Farm Bureau |
April 2007 |
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Senate budget proposal offers dairy relief New York Farm Bureau last month praised the State Senate for voting to approve $60 million in immediate financial assistance to dairy farmers across the state. “The State Senate is truly stepping up to help solve the Dairy Crisis,” said New York Farm Bureau president John Lincoln, a dairy farmer from Bloomfield, N.Y. “Our farmers are struggling with a three year milk price drop and energy prices that have tripled in the past five years,” Lincoln said. “Without help, many family farmers will go out of business, which will be a major blow to the Upstate rural economy.” “We thank Senate Majority Leader (Joseph) Bruno, Senator (Catharine) Young and the entire Senate Majority for their support of agriculture,” Lincoln said. “But we have a long way to go, and farmers need to convince the state Assembly and the Governor to support investing in the dairy industry before farmers can see some immediate relief.” New York Farm Bureau lobbied extensively for the relief package during its annual Lobby Days in early February. Farm Bureau is also calling for support of the New York Center for Dairy Excellence, which would help farmers compete and stay profitable. The state budget proposal approved by the Senate would establish a new Dairy Assistance Program within the New York State Department of Agriculture. The program would be similar to a program used in Vermont. The dairy crisis is a critical priority for farmers this year, as milk prices continue to stay below the cost of production for most operations. Milk prices to farmers are down 14 percent over a year ago and 18 percent below 2005 levels. Hundreds of farms have gone out of business during that time as energy costs have nearly tripled and feed costs have doubled. Nationwide, the largest percentage of farms lost amongst the major dairy states took place in New York. Between 2005 and 2006, New York lost 460 dairy farms, a 7.2 percent decline. Corn prices have gone from $2 per bushel to $4 per bushel in less than a year. Joint Senate and Assembly hearings taking place across the state in January and February heard farmers talking about continued attrition and a struggle to survive. Dairy is the largest segment of agriculture in New York, with approximately ,000 farms across the state. New York ranks third in milk production nationwide.
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