08/27/09: Sen. Gillibrand Says Weak Economy Milking Empire Diary Industry

Original YNN Buffalo Air Date: 08/27/09
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand says the tough economy is milking money from New York’s dairy industry.
“They’re at record lows and a lot of our dairy farmers are going out of business,” said sot: Sen. Gillibrand.
The senator held a meeting with farmers, producers, packagers and economists in Bataiva to discuss the future of milk in the Empire State. Many western New York farmers are paying $12 for 100 pounds of milk. Gillibrand says that’s costing farmers $16 to $18 to produce each unit.
“It’s to the point where some can do it for a while and some can’t. If they do it for too long everybody will be out of business because they won’t be able to stay in business,” said Offhaus Farms Inc. owner Gordon Offhaus.
Sen. Gilibrand says New York is the third largest dairy producing state in the country. She says she hopes the summit will put New York’s dairy industry back on track.