Posted on 04/05/2020 3:27:13 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s dairy industry is calling for federal help as farmers have begun dumping milk because of falling demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite empty grocery store shelves in recent weeks, widespread closures of schools and restaurants — coupled with falling exports — have led to a sharp drop in demand.
This is without precedent,” said John Umhoefer, executive director of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. “Half the restaurants in the U.S. are closed or operating at a reduced level. That has never happened before.”
With more than they can sell, processors are refusing to pick up milk from farmers, who are left to dump it into manure pits or spread it on fields.
“We’re not the kind of factory that can just turn out the lights,” said Gordon Speirs, owner of the 2,100-cow Shiloh Dairy in Brillion.
The Cheese Makers Association and Dairy Business Association are calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide direct aid and make “a massive dairy commodity purchase” that could be distributed to food pantries.
“We have a lot of cheese in storage,” Tim Trotter, executive director of the Dairy Business Association. “Let’s get it to the people who need it.”
Rebekah Sweeney, director of communications and policy for the Cheese Makers Association, said U.S. dairy exports, which account for about 15% of sales, have been wiped out since the onset of the new coronavirus that has sickened more than 1 million people and killed tens of thousands worldwide.
And processors have lost a third to one half of their business in recent weeks as schools, restaurants and other institutions were shut down in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.
On top of that, Sweeney said, retail orders have begun to level off after an initial wave of consumer panic buying wiped out grocery store supplies.
The market crash comes just as many farmers are readying for spring planting and on the heels of a year in which one out of 10 dairy farms went out of business.
“This year was to be the rebound year,” Trotter said. “Now we see even more devastating outcomes for dairy farmers.”
Speirs said farm income was already down 25% in the past several weeks.
“Now we face the reality of having to dump milk on top of that,” he said.
Environmental concerns
It’s not clear yet how many farmers have dumped milk , but Trotter said there have been some verified reports and he expects it to continue.
“That’s changing by the hour,” Trotter said.
Chris Clayton, chief of the agricultural runoff section for the Department of Natural Resources, said the agency began receiving questions Wednesday after some processors ordered certain dairies to dump milk.
With a higher concentration of nutrients than manure, milk is considered a pollutant that can lead to fish kills and other problems in lakes, streams and rivers. The DNR last week issued guidance for farmers faced with “the last resort option of emergency milk disposal” and has relaxed some regulations.
“The preferred option is to place it in manure storage — if they have the space for it,” Clayton said. “The farmers do not need permission from the department to store milk in manure storage.”
If manure pits are full, farmers are asked to spread it on fields according to their nutrient management plans — preferably on fields with perennial crops and not on sandy soil or fields with shallow groundwater.
The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has advised farmers to record any milk disposals to help claim any government aid that becomes available.
If the processors are not buying the product, it won’t be long before the cows are hamburger.
Yes. Absolutely.
Think about it, the milk came from the land in the first place. It’s simply being returned, along with the manure.
“On the Waterfront” “All right let’s go to work”
https://drive.google.com/open?id=17qXwyJAky9j3jIQH0yKeXiDxVqEilUJQ
Milk hasn’t been selling as much as the 90’s or 2000’s. They were going to look for a bailout anyways. They should make it i to cheese and powder the rest. Im sure Africa and other 3rd world shitholes would love to have it.
What?! We are looking everywhere for milk down here in SC. None to be had this past Saturday.
Easier said than done because what business do you know of that is set up with contingency plans to channel their product in another direction should the Winds Of Fortune fail to deliver?
Maybe we ALL need to learn something from ‘The Pillow Guy’ who turned his pillow manufacturing set-up into sewing much-needed face masks for medical people and civilians? Of course the Enemy Media MOCKED HIM, so you KNOW he was doing the right thing!
HOWEVER - your ideas are GREAT and if we learn ANYTHING from this MANUFACTURED CRISIS, it WILL be how to think on our feet and think - FAST!
Many other businesses are adapting and overcoming during all of this. Why not the dairy industry as well?
You know, if I were more ambitious at this time in my life, I would form a company that helps to re-brand your business and SEND IT in another direction should another MANUFACTURED CRISIS come our way.
Just sayin’...
A government created disaster and right on cue, people are demanding a government created solution to the government created disaster.
JoMa
The milk producers themselves don’t make the cheese. They sell their milk to cheese makers.
The milk that’s being dumped would normally be heading to restaurants and schools, most of which are closed right now.
Yes, you’d think there would be a middleman that has already figured out what to do, but there are already seventy-zillion pounds of stored cheese as it is.
I grew up poor on Free Government Cheese; it really IS a thing. ;)
I just don’t think there’s a quick way for cheese makers to turn that liquid gold into cheese economically and/or efficiently at this time.
As I said earlier, if nothing else, this is going to make businesses re-think their contingency plans. If Mother Government can do this to ‘We The People’ ONCE, and it’s seemingly keeping us in line, then She WILL do it again, but for more nefarious reasons.
*Takes Off Tinfoil Hat* ;)
Diana, I have read farmers are having to dump milk, eggs and produce...
Wondering why state governors or Trump could not direct transportation resources (private or public) to at least obtain some of the milk and produce being dumped to take to hard-hit area food banks for those who are out of jobs and food???
...Saw an article showing thousands of cars lined up in San Diego waiting for food (which of course ran out).
Full belly = riot control...
It’s a perishable item that requires specialized transport.
This is milk that would have gone to schools, hotels and restaurants. There is no distribution system in place for what your are suggesting.
well I thought there are independent truckers who are looking for loads that could be paid to do it...
I would think Eggs and produce would only require refrigeration truck....
I would be surprised if milk trucks would not be available...
Maybe future tax rebates? I am sure this could be done...where there is a will there is a way...
Right now Trump is talking about protecting farmers and food supply...Personally, I don’t want farmers going under now...That would endanger food supply going forward.
I like your ideas!
I was saying earlier that if nothing else, ALL businesses will see how EASILY they could be put under by Mother Government and will be ready with contingency plans next time around.
Because there WILL be a next time. She’s now seen how easily controlled most of her minions can be. Never let a crisis (real or manufactured!!) go to waste! :(
I grow a lot of our food, we hunt and fish - our freezers are always full - I bake bread and cook from scratch 3 meals a day, nearly every day of the year.
That said, I went to the grocery store today. I can do a lot, but I can’t do it all!
I understand your point, but you realize it’s the governments that stopped the shipments from the start? School food programs?
Packaging, transport, and distribution are more expensive than they would be reimbursed.
I am sure if you showed up at the dairy they would fill your bottle.
I see your point. However, I think we need to adapt...
For example, there are restaurants that are now adapting to the situation by selling food since they cannot serve it...
I don’t know much about reimbursements, but I really meant tax credits...for farmers and since gas is cheap, gas provided to transporters. I would think vegetables and eggs would be easier to transport...
Maybe some of these trade associations like National Dairy association can come up with plans...
I don’t know the answers~I am just sitting in my family room in lock-down watching news, reading articles, thinking what a shame!
How about some bartering...Hey I will give you milk if you help me (fill in blank) _____________________
No kidding. I would love some fresh raw milk. But the nearest dairy cow is about 50 miles.
Well, gas is cheap and you probs are not on lockdown in VT, and besides, even if VT is staying at home...wouldn’t it be getting groceries? Eh just 50 miles away ;)
Seriously they do clothing exchanges, book exchanges, etc...
Why not organize some sort of area exchange for services? Especially if we have to go thru this longer or again :(
Our neighborhood has had a lot of people sign up for “NextDoor” through subdivisions, schools etc...Great way to pass information, do favors, etc.
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