12-6 IAN Strong Dairy Men
I have been doing stories on what seems to be the plight of the dairy industry for the last several years. Skyrocketing input costs including staggering prices for corn and hay and fuel along with challenges in terms of milk pricing have made it so difficult for dairy producers to survive. Dave Thomas, CEO of American Dairy Products Institute Recently said at the Idaho Milk Processors Association annual convention in Sun Valley that the industry is at a turning point, and must make decisions that will determine its destiny. Thomas added that "For the right milk price, we'll see more dairies and more cows, but what is that right price?” That is the question. What is the right price that can provide consumers with an incredibly important portion of their diet while at the same time allowing for producers to stay in business? I called the Idaho Dairy Commission’s Cheri Chase who has been in the dairy industry for over 20 years and is a stalwart believer and defender of the people who make up the heart of the industry. “Get out your crystal ball. As you look at the future of the dairy industry are you optimistic or are you pessimistic? It is hard for me to comment on what the future is going to bring to the dairy industry but what I can tell you is that dairy farmers in general are very good at what they do and they will find a way to make it work whether it is adding more cows like some of them have done, whether it is being innovative and branching out into niche markets like artisan cheeses. These folks are dedicated to being dairy producers. It is their livelihood. They care about the land. They care about passing down what they are doing to the next generation. They will find a way to make it work because that is what they have always done.
