April 27, 2010
Dear Editor,
I am one of the partners in Faihopity Farms in Columbia County in
Pennsylvania. Our dairy farm is operated solely as a true family farm.
We were shocked two days ago when we received our advance check for the first
fifteen days of April's production, the amount was $12.78 per cwt.
These continuous low milk prices are totally unacceptable and can
no longer be tolerated. As everyone knows 2009 was a disgraceful year
for dairy farmers. The price that we receive for our milk last year was
hundred of thousands of dollars below the cost of producing milk. We and
many other dairy farmers can not continue with these prices.
Many of us traveled to Washington D.C. on April 13th with the Progressive
Agriculture Organization (Pro-Ag) in an attempt to obtain some immediate help
for all dairy farmers. In most part the reception was good. We
appreciate the efforts that Senator Arlen Specter (D. PA) is putting forth for
the dairy farmers. However, in most parts our elected officials just
don't get it. All of us at Faihopity Farms strongly support the efforts
of Pro-Ag and The National Family Farm Coalition as they work feverishly to
correct the financial instability on our dairy farms.
Congress can and must adjust the support price on milk manufactured products
to a level of at least $17-18 per cwt. If this isn't done, then a floor
price of at least $18 per cwt. must be placed under all manufactured milk
products.
The only real sensible and realistic solution to the dairy farms woes is the
Federal Milk Marketing Improvement Act of 2009, (S. 1645). We are
totally against any form of insurance programs to be imposed on dairy farmers.
It has been reported that some large dairy companies made record profits last
year. It's time dairy farmers receive a fair stable price for our milk
and an insurance program is not the answer. I urge everyone to get
behind the efforts of Pro Ag and The National Family Farm Coalition.
Let's save our remaining dairy farms before it is too late.
Sincerely,
Linda Broyan