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Dairy industry faces months-long economic recovery


Even though the state agriculture department has said multiple times the market is starting to correct itself, dairy farmers in Missouri and across the country are looking toward one of the most challenging summers in recent memory. (Noah Brown/KRCG 13)

Farmers for the last few months have been facing tough markets as demand chains have fluctuated drastically following stay-at-home orders.

Even though the state agriculture department has said multiple times the market is starting to correct itself, dairy farmers in Missouri and across the country are looking toward one of the most challenging summers in recent memory.

Vetter Farms in New Haven, Missouri, has been one of the lucky ones and has managed to avoid the worst of COVID-19.

“It hasn’t affected us because we ship to Prairie Farms and they say that all the milk is still getting shipped through and it’s going through their plants pretty well,” Maria Vetter said.

Even though they’ve dodged milk-dumping, Cliff Vetter, Maria’s father, said he understands they’re probably in the minority.

“Oh I’m sure it’s difficult,” he said. “I’m sure the price (of milk) has gone way down.”

According to an economic impact study published by the University of Missouri, milk prices have fallen nearly 9 percent from their projected totals earlier this year.

The plummet prompted Sens. Josh Hawley and Roy Blunt, as well as 11 other U.S. senators, to petition the federal agriculture department and Sec. Sunny Purdue, the department’s head, to provide substantial assistance to dairy farmers.

While the petition doesn’t dive into specifics, it suggests heavily relying on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act was signed into law March 27 and provides a comprehensive recovery package for the entire nation, and it includes several provisions for farmers.

“Economic stability for the dairy industry will help ensure that a stable and abundant food supply is available to the public at reasonable prices now and long into the future,” the letter read. “The Congress provided several ways in the CARES Act to help the dairy industry. We urge you to develop strong measures to help mitigate the current market upheaval so that the dairy industry can survive this crisis.”

That aid, Vetter said, could be the jolt the dairy industry sorely needs.

“Yeah, it probably is at this time,” he said. “Gets commerce moving in the right direction.”

Source: krcgtv.com


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