Milk-How I can help the U.S. Dairy Farmers

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Permalink Reply by John Antonelli on July 15, 2009 at 4:50pm

Depends on the price. My grocery budget is not charity.

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Permalink Reply by Hewitt Rose on July 15, 2009 at 11:47pm

Most milk is produced in the US due to its limited shelf life; we import only 6% of our consumption. So protectionism for milk would not help us much and could provoke justifiable trade sanctions by the principle milk exporters to the U.S.--Greece(!) and Canada. The US also exports slightly more milk than it imports, so provoking an import duty war in milk would be a net economic loss to us.

The federal government already subsidizes U.S. dairy farmers extensively. Why distort the market even further at taxpayer expense?

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Permalink Reply by Jacqueline English on July 20, 2009 at 6:57pm

I would like to help out dairy farmers and I think it is a good idea to rethink our farm policies. I couldn't believe that Diane could not get a single straight answer from any of her guests as to why farmers are paid so little for their milk but we pay so much at the other end. No one wants to take on the food lobby; the folks who with their short sighted profit driven policies are ruining our food, our health and our environment. I believe that we need to wrestle control of our food supply away from the big corporations. Congress is no help they too are afraid of the industrial farm lobby. The farm bill we just passed does little to address the fact that we are finding more and more chemicals in our ground water, monoculture requires more and more pesticides and more and more chemical fertilzers. Outdated farming practices cause erosion to our precious topsoil. Crowding chickens and cows on top of one another requires the use of more and more antibiotics while so much of their waste overwhelms water treatment plants downstream. Meanwhile we still pay farmers not to grow food and good farm land goes idle. We subsidize corn and soy but not smart water and land management. I would love to see Diane tackle the manufactured food industry.

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Permalink Reply by Cara Sims on July 20, 2009 at 7:57pm

Jacqueline,you are preaching to the choir on this one. I agree with you and shop weekly at the Farmer's Market [it's open year round here in southeast AZ] and have relearned to eat seasonally.
I too believe the American people must take responsibility for our actions. Neither party will stand up to lobbyist-period. There is too much money to be made for politicians, the lobbyists, and their clients. And when major money like that is involved no one represents the interest of "the People". Therefore, "We the People" must become activists by our personal choices and the actions we take on a daily basis. I am a strong believer in personal responsibility.
I have learned over a life time that expecting more than nominal help from politicians is a frustrating exercise in futility. If you will excuse an excruciatingly mixed metaphor: You can’t blame a bird for acting like a bird and feathering its nest. It’s what birds do. Politicians, like birds, are in the business of nest feathering and to expect more of them is absurd.
So where does that leave us? Back to our taking the steps to change the agricultural balance by supporting sustainable agriculture and small farmers with our only, but powerful, weapon—our money.

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Permalink Reply by karl Trainer on August 2, 2009 at 11:39pm

Not only are the American Dairy Farmers being taken advantage of , but so are the American consumers. Farmers are currently getting paid half the price of production , thus relying on any source of equity available to save the businesses that have likely been in their families for generations , thanks to incredible work ethic and resilience. Lobbyist are controlling congress , thus allowing milk processors to continue to have record profits while Farmers across the country are borrowing millions in attempt to keep their farms.

Even though Dairy Farmers are currently getting paid the same price for their milk as they were in 1968 , consumers are paying the highest price for dairy products ever. Store prices should reflect the record low "farm price." A gallon of milk should cost consumers approx. $1.50 per gallon , based on the price farmers are getting right now. The American people should be outraged by the corruption lobbyist are creating in Congress. We need to protect our food supply , and support our Farms.

Call or write your congressmen. Contact Tom Vilsack ; the Secretary of Agriculture , and ask him why he continues to ignore the crisis ALL American Dairy Farms have been facing since January 2009. Farm Aid ; headed by Willie Nelson , asked Mr. Vilsack to act now , giving him a petition with thousands of signatures requesting action. His lack of response to this organization and the present crisis which has been obvious for 7 months now , is a clear indication of the power of lobbyist in this country.

We could get more money in the hands of Dairy Farmers ; instead of processors like Dean Foods , drop the subsidies that are abused by large corporate farms , save millions of tax dollars , and end up paying less for milk in the stores. There is no reason for consumers and Farmers both getting screwed , the way they are now. The U.S. has the highest quality standards in the world , in regard to food safety and sanitation. ( how would you like to get all our food from China? ) Dairy Farms conserve the land and follow strict guidelines from the DEC to protect the environment , while stimulating the economy and providing jobs with no other resources than the land and animals raised from mature cattle on the farm. These farms have the ability to use the manure from cattle to power methane digesters , which can produce more than the electricity used on the farm and several dozen homes , while eliminating virtually any carbon produced , and any odor as well.

Support Dairy Farms. Call your congressmen. Fight corrupt lobbyists responsible for the oppression Dairy Farmers are facing. Remember , NO MORE SUBSIDIES. NO CHARITY. Just Fair Regulated Prices for Farmers , and Supply Management.

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Permalink Reply by Regina Mcgrath on September 3, 2009 at 6:51pm

Hi, Cara
I had no, idea, how dire this situation is with our American Milk Farmers .
Watching the news today about this crisis in America. My grandfather was a
farmer, my heart breaks, hearing these stories! Thank God for Farmers &
Truck Drivers ! I googled about this topic and was shocked how much is written
about this product. Dean's milk only buys 15% of American Milk ! This is Wrong !!!
We should only be purchasing America Milk to Support Our American Farmers!

RUSSIA: Milk farmers threaten disruption : Food News & Comment
Aug 4, 2009 ... "We are ready to destroy our milk," the farmers' spokesperson warned. Government -backed negotiations will be staged tomorrow (5 August). ...

www.just-food.com/article.aspx?id=107541 - Similar pages
Government should give money to these farmers ! They need the Help !
Please, start a FACEBOOK ACCOUNT, to Make Aware of this situation!
American Public deserve to know the truth ! We are losing our Farmers everyday.
God Help Us !

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Permalink Reply by Cara Sims on September 4, 2009 at 9:08am

Regina, the way to help is not to wait or hope the government will help but to make sure all your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers are aware of the situation. I checked with Safeway and their Lucerne milk is U.S. milk so I by their milk and cheese products. Find out who uses only American milk in the their dairy line in your area so you can start buying American and when you tell others about it they will know what to buy and where to buy it.
Encourage people to not only boycott the companies who don't use all American milk but to email them and tell the companies why they quit buying their milk. Target is one of my favorite stores but their milk and milk products don't have American milk so I never buy those things there and have sent them an email letting them know it and why.
We have the power of the wallet and the internet let's use them!

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Permalink Reply by Bryan Gotham on November 12, 2009 at 2:26pm

DAIRY FARMERS WILL BE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. DECEMBER 2

TO BALANCE INFLUENCE



Richfield Springs, N.Y. – Building upon an unprecedented dairy farmer presence in Washington D.C. for the final House Agriculture Committee hearing in July, dairy farmers and their allies will descend on Washington, D.C. Wednesday, Dec. 2.



Politicians are being influenced by messages, particularly from cooperatives and processors that do not appropriately portray the state of the industry. Dairy farmers and their allies will be delivering their messages on December 2 as they did in July to keep checks and balances in the political influence.



All interested parties are welcome: farmers, consumers, breed association members, state assemblyman and senators, Chambers of Commerce directors, Land Trusts, FFA teachers and students, agribusiness, financial representatives, college faculty and students.



The day’s itinerary includes appointments with House and Senate Agriculture Committee members and attending the Future Trends in Animal Agriculture Symposium - The Future of Animal Agriculture: 2030 What Will Animal Agriculture Look Like?,What Should Animal Agriculture Look Like? For registration info and symposium details, go tohttp://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/news/FTAADec09.pdf



This will be a coast-to-coast, coordinated effort with messages being delivered simultaneously to district offices of Congressmen and Senators. You need not be in D.C. to be a part of this message delivery. For assistance with scheduling district office appointments or writing letters, contact Tammy Graves at gravesarborgraphics@yahoo.com, Facebook or 315-858-0163.



“Dairy farmers know their dues-taking organizations are not acting with conviction or speaking on their behalf,” says Barbara Borges-Martin, a California dairy farmer. “I’ll be echoing the D.C. voices in to my representative’s California offices.”



The summary of messages includes three short term items and one long term item: 1) big tariffs on milk protein concentrate (MPC) needed because MPCs are not approved for food use 2) mandatory audit of food companies’ dairy product inventory is necessary for dairy farmers to have honest price triggers and supply management 3) a temporary floor price of at least $17 4) Long term – new price discovery mechanism utilizing a percentage of cost of production and/or a percentage of retail coupled with supply management.



A bus will depart from N.Y. Other states are finalizing their arrangements. Seats are still available. Please contact Bryan Gotham at blcgotham@yahoo.com, on Facebook or call 315-405-6456 to receive an update on your state's trip plans.

Tammy Graves
315-858-0163



Below are highlights of responses we wanted to share with you:

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"I would go too...keep me updated!"

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“What are the details about the rally on the 2nd for dairy? I'm tempted to come, but I need more information on what is planned. Also are there buses coming from the northeast? Is anyone coordinating? Let me know.”

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"I would go!"

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“We are interested in joining in the rally on DC on December 2, 2009. If you are interested in joining on the trip please contact and let him know that you would like to go. We also need consumers to go along.”

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“I would love to send 60 of our College Dairy Science students to Washington on Dec 2. Is there any way this can happen? The logisitics we're real clear to me, so I want to know if this is even a possibility. Cost of trip? Departure time? Mode of transportation. Call me if you have information.”

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“I am interested in meeting in DC.”

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“At least one person from each dairy and related business should attend. Hope to see you all there.”

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“Thanks Bryan! We'll get this posted to our blog ASAP!”

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“Bryan –

Do you know that

The Future of Animal Agriculture:2030

What Will Animal Agriculture Look Like?,What Should Animal Agriculture Look Like? Jefferson Auditorium, South Agriculture Building;



http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/news/FTAADec09.pdf is in DC on Dec 2 as well… might be a good crossover!”

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“Thank you Bryan for being the go to person in setting these things up!!”

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“I will be there.”

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“Our farm will send at least two representatives to DC for this critical event. In addition to our farms, I also own a public relations firm and would be happy to do free PR for the event if you need any assistance.”

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“Thanks much for organizing this important event.”

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“I have been talking with a lot of guys around here and because of harvest being so late- it just will not work for most of them. They are wanting to get their crops off in good weather and we are 4 -4 weeks behind here is WI.

Just thought to give you the FYI.”

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We look forward to hearing from you and/or joining the call on Monday, Nov. 9 at 12 p.m. EST.



Best regards,

Tammy Graves gravesarborgraphics@yahoo.com 315-858-0163

and

Bryan Gotham blcgotham@yahoo.com 315-405-6456

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