4-25-17 fdl county dairy farmers impacted by canada milk dispute

The Fond du Lac County Dairy and Livestock agent says she is concerned about the future of dozens of Wisconsin dairy farmers who face going out of business after a change in Canada’s domestic pricing policy evaporated demand for U.S. milk.  Extension agent, Tina Coleman,  says in Fond du Lac County there are four dairy farms with up to 180 cows directly impacted.  “I’m pretty nervous for our farm families that are here in the county that are impacted,”  Coleman told WFDL news.  “Not only that but what does this mean for the future of our industry in general?”   Coleman says many dairy producers may be forced out of business.  “They are absolutely scared.  These are 3rd, 4th, 5th generation farms, they’re part of our community, they’re our friends, our neighors, and it is scary.  Our hope, is that  somebody in the 11th hour will start picking up milk here or there, but everybody is scrambling for the next week.”   Grassland Dairy notified 58 Wisconsin farms this month that the company will stop buying their milk on May first and Coleman says she is concerned that this may be the tip of the spear.