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Posts Tagged ‘dairy farms’
Sunday, November 20th, 2011
A heated debate over raw milk and federal regulation is heating up in small towns and small farms across Maine. The catalyst for this struggle was a lawsuit by the state government against Dan Brown, a Hancock County farmer.
Brown’s farm currently sells and distributes unpasteurized milk without a state license. Current state law requires licensure in order to sell raw milk, but several Maine towns, include Brown’s hometown of Blue Hills, have passed food sovereignty laws, declaring that food sold to local consumers for household consumption is not subject to state or federal regulation and licensing.
Earlier this month, state officials sued Brown in order to prevent him from selling unpasteurized dairy products. The lawsuit, and the ensuing struggle over municipal power, has divided the agricultural community.
State officials, particularly agricultural officials, maintain that licensing and regulation is necessary to protect the health of the community. A sample of raw milk taken from Brown’s farm, for example, contained bacteria levels significantly higher than the legal limit. In addition, agricultural officials say they are protecting Maine’s dairy industry. A major milk related illness could severely damage the dairy sector, much like Colorado’s listeria outbreak has reduced their cantaloupe sales.
Some raw farmers have also come out in favor of the state policy, citing health concerns as well as the ease of obtaining a state license.
Many Maine farmers, however, see the lawsuit as an intrusion by state officials into local issues. One Penobscot farmer said, “We have asserted the right to choose what food we eat and feed our families.”
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: dairy farms, Maine, raw milk, usda
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Monday, October 3rd, 2011
New York farm officials are warning against consumption of raw milk in Tompkins County, particularly milk produced at Jerry Dell Farm in Freeville, New York. A series of illnesses have been traced to the farm, reigniting debate over the safety of unpasteurized milk and dairy products.
On September 22, Jerry Dell Farm was informed by officials from the New York Department of Health and Agriculture that two people were sickened after consuming raw milk from their farm. Subsequent testing detected the presence of Campylobacter, a bacterium frequently found in dairy farms. Ingestion of tainted food can cause cramps, fever, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal distress. Symptoms frequently clear up within five days, but can be serious to individuals with weakened or compromised immune systems.
The discovery has increased debate over the safety of unpasteurized milk products. Many states ban the sale of raw milk entirely, requiring that all dairy products sold to consumers undergo pasteurization to guarantee the destruction of all potential pathogens. New York allows the direct sale of unpasteurized products to consumers, provided that the product be accompanied by a warning that consumption of raw milk could potentially be dangerous.
Many New Yorkers believe that the illnesses that could occur from consuming raw milk outweigh any potential benefits. Supporters of unpasteurized products, however, claim that pasteurization destroys important nutrients. They also claim that raw milk industries help support local farmers.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: dairy farms, New York, raw milk
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Thursday, September 8th, 2011
According to studies done on Wisconsin dairies, milk from large-scale dairy farms may be safer than milk from local producers. The study was performed by Stave Ingham, a professor of food science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For the purposes of the study, large farms were defined as farms having 118 to 713 cows. Those with more were defined as extra-large, while those with 117 or fewer were defined as small.
The study itself looked at the presence of bacteria and other cells in the finished product that could reveal a link between quality and farm size. Contrary to many popular beliefs, milk from large and extra-large Wisconsin farms contained lower levels of bacteria than milk made on smaller, locally run farms.
The study, Ingham claimed, seemed to cast doubt on the commonly held idea that there is a link between food quality and farm size.
Small farmers were quick to point out serious flaws in the study. The presence of bacteria was not the only measure of food quality. Taste and environmental stewardship are major factors in judging agricultural products, local dairy farmers claim, two areas in which they perform better than larger farms. In addition, milk from small and large farms both met all the standards for grade A certification.
In addition, this study misses the importance of the link between local consumption and the local economy. Consuming food from local growers helps stimulate small farms which in turn stimulate the local economy, often providing much needed jobs.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: dairy farms, e. coli, wisconsin
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Sunday, August 21st, 2011
In the wake of what some farmers have called the Great Dairy Recession, many dairy farmers across the United States are still struggling to make ends meet. In 2008, in part due to the larger U.S. recession, dairy prices across the country plummeted while export markets shrank. This combined with high costs of fuel and rising feed costs (caused by the diversion of corn to ethanol production) to drive many farmers out of business.
Part of the larger problem, many dairy farmers have argued, is that the safety nets in place to aid their industry have been woefully inadequate. The biggest problem with the current safety net is its age. Devised at the height of the Great Depression, current dairy policies are decades old and no longer reflect current dairy consumption patterns. No longer a local industry, dairy farming is a national, even international, industry.
All of these factors translate into a still unstable industry. Even though prices have risen over the past year (hitting a high of over $3 a gallon nationwide) dairy farmers are still in a difficult spot. With feed and fuel costs still high, many farmers have barely been able to break even and many others are still buried in significant debt.
Congress is considering several proposals to aid dairy farmers, the most popular being one by Minnesota Representative Collin Peterson who would limit milk production in order to avoid price fluctuations.
However, all Congressional remedies would depend on how much money is cut from the federal budget over the next ten years as part of the debt ceiling agreement.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: dairy farms, farm subsidies, usda
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Thursday, July 21st, 2011
A congressional push to reform dairy regulations seems unlikely in the wake of the National Farmers Union’s condemnation of a reform bill. The bill, which was proposed by Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson, would reform current dairy subsidies. Peterson’s bill would strengthen farm safety nets by replacing dairy subsidies with new insurance programs and by limiting milk production when prices fall below a certain level (determined by balancing milk prices and production costs).
Reaction to Peterson’s plan has been mixed. The insurance program has been widely hailed as a positive step forward. Farm advocates claim that insurance is a more cost-effective way to support farmers. Insurance programs would allow farms better control of the support they accept from the federal government and would also be better for taxpayers who would no longer be the only support for farmers.
Many groups, however, take issue with the proposed production controls, claiming that it is an inappropriate government intrusion into the free market. Other groups like the Farmers Union argue that the proposed regulations only help large-scale producers and do little to benefit small dairy farmers.
In addition to criticism from the NFU, the bill seems dead in the water for now. House Agricultural Committee Chair has stated that he will not push the proposed legislation through unless the dairy industry is unified behind it.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: dairy farms, minnesota, National Farmers Union
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Sunday, March 13th, 2011
Over the past eight years, New York has experiences a sustained loss in dairy farms. Since 2002, the state lost more than 700 farms, up to 23% of its total numbers. New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has been campaigning tirelessly for dairy farmers and agricultural producers in New York, advocating financial solutions that cannot wait until the next Farm Bill in 2012. Gillibrand recently released a five-point plan to stabilize milk production in New York, one that includes relief for farmers when milk prices fall below certain levels.
This larger decline is part of the general economic hardships currently facing New York and the rest of the nation. As part of his effort to combat state budget deficits, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has cut state spending. On the chopping block is state funding to agricultural producers, including dairy farmers. Four years ago, the state offered $15 million to various New York agricultural and educational funds and programs. Cuomo’s current budget drastically reduces that number, leaving Farm Bureau Programs $1.2 million in competitive grants.
The decline of dairy farms in New York impacts more than just farmers. As farms close, local businesses that depended on those farmers are feeling the pinch. Tractor businesses and repair shops have seen their business decline as have veterinarians, refrigeration companies, and the trucking industry.
Gillibrand and other New Yorkers argue that drastic action needs to be taken now to protect and create jobs in the state.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: Andrew Cuomo, dairy farms, Kirsten Gillibrand
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Monday, April 6th, 2009
In 2007 three Minnesota counties alone had 986 dairy farms. With the 50 percent decrease in dairy prices, farmers are struggling.
A statement released by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar said the USDA is planning to step up and assist dairy farmers by purchasing dairy products from the market and make them available to food pantries, school food programs and Indian reservation programs.
The USDA plans to buy 200 million pounds of dry milk. The program is not expecting to fully solve the current economic problem, but the USDA wants to help farmers who are in need. “There’s more to bed one,” Klobuchar said. “I am completely sympathetic to our dairy farms.”
Farmers and agriculture figures are excited about the plan. Bob Lefebvre of the Minnesota Milk Producer Association told the St. Cloud Times he thinks “it certainly is a step in the right direction.”
Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) agrees. He said, “This is a win-win situation that will offer relief to our nation’s dairy farmers who are suffering from high input costs and declining milk prices and to low-income American families who are finding it harder to put healthy food on the table during these difficult economic times.”
If you are interested in purchasing farm land now is a great time to do it. Low rate farm loans are available through Farm Plus today. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding farm loans.
Tags: dairy, dairy farms, milk, usda
Posted in General, Minnesota Farm Loans | 1 Comment »
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