Low U.S. milk prices force farmers to reduce dairy herd
By The Associated Press
Features New Technology ProductionNEWS HIGHLIGHT
Low U.S. milk prices force farmers to reduce dairy herd
Hundreds of thousands of America's dairy cows are being turned into
hamburgers because milk prices have dropped so low that farmers can no
longer afford to feed the animals.
February 19, 2009 – Hundreds of thousands of America's dairy cows are being turned into hamburgers because milk prices have dropped so low that farmers can no longer afford to feed the animals.
Dairy farmers say they have little choice but to sell part of their herds for slaughter because they face a perfect storm of destructive economic forces.
Prices for milk now are about half what it costs farmers to produce the staple, and consumer prices are falling.
Unless the market can be bolstered, industry officials project that more than 1.5 million of the nation's 9.3 million milking cows could be slaughtered this year as dairy operators look to cut costs and generate cash.
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