Guest guest Posted October 27, 2000 Report Share Posted October 27, 2000 Federal aid for dairy farmers rises State's milk producers to divide $137 million By KATHERINE M. SKIBA of the Journal Sentinel staff Last Updated: Oct. 24, 2000 Washington - Emergency help for the nation's dairy farmers is expected to climb to $667 million, with Wisconsin's share totaling $137 million. The announcement Tuesday, from Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, means farmers will be getting considerably more help than the previously estimated $473 million. The help, which compensates for low market prices, is in a fiscal year 2001 appropriations bill awaiting the president's signature. According to Glickman, the help is aimed at small- and medium-size farmers. Under the measure, Wisconsin, which produces 14% of the nation's milk, stands to receive 20% of the dairy assistance. The average producer in the nation is expected to receive $8,300 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A farm with 225 cows could receive the maximum payment, $25,000. The assistance of about 65 cents per hundredweight of milk is capped at 39,000 hundredweight per operation. On average a Wisconsin cow produced 1,400 pounds of milk - or 14 hundredweight - in September, the USDA said. Glickman said milk prices, which have dropped for three consecutive years, now are at the lowest level since 1991. The money, he said, " will help some, and for a lot of people, this may be the difference between staying in and getting out of the dairy business. " According to Glickman, the $667 million is more than twice what was paid out during the last two years combined. He said President Clinton is expected to sign the agriculture appropriations measure no later than Nov. 1. http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/oct00/dairy25102400.asp -- Free email services provided by http://www.goodkarmacafe.com Powered by Outblaze Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2000 Report Share Posted October 27, 2000 Anji posted: Glickman said milk prices, which have dropped for three consecutive years, now are at the lowest level since 1991. The money, he said, " will help some, and for a lot of people, this may be the difference between staying in and getting out of the dairy business. " According to Glickman, the $667 million is more than twice what was paid out during the last two years combined. __________________________ So why is this? Can it be that prices are dropping so drastically because the growth of the vegan community making it's presence felt? The timing seems right... I really think it would be far more efficient use of the money to give them assistance to GET OUT of the dairy business! It's a massive undertaking though. If they get out of dairy, and get into... say... growing sunflower seeds, broccoli and/or apples, the whole economic balance and supply/demand situation gets shifted. It makes me glad, as well as being vegan, that I am NOT a politician. How would a politician, even one who understands the need for dairy farming to go the way of the Dodo, start to plan such a change? It would effect so many, many people... Deborah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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