Ten percent of Indiana’s dairy farms closed last year. It is a trend that has been happening across the country, but the situation may slowly be improving.
Indiana has lost two out of every three dairy farms in the past twenty years, but experts say 2018 was worse. Last year, Indiana lost twice as many dairy farms than it has in years past.
Doug Leman is the Executive Director of the Indiana Dairy Producers.
“There is a normal attrition every year in dairy farms, and these are Grade A dairy farms we’re talking about,” Leman says. “Last year, was more like double the normal rate.”
Leman says declining consumption leads to lower demand, but production continues to increase. That makes it difficult for farmers who have to absorb lower prices.
Despite grim numbers from 2018, Leman believes the situation is beginning to improve because production is moving closer to demand.
Source: Indiana Public Media
