By Carol Ann Gregg

Allied News Staff Writer

A “perfect storm” of historic prepositions has hit the dairy industry.

The convergence of economic recession, the reduction of milk exports and the spike in farm input costs have delivered a frighten blow to dairy farmers everywhere.

On Oct. 5, U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper hosted a Dairy Solution Forum at the Butler Farm Show Grounds on Route 68. She did not come with a solution to the national dairy crisis; instead, she sought solution recommendations from a group of over 100 farmers from the length and breadth of her district.

A committee of Butler County people pulled together a panel of presenters from across the industry and across the Third Congressional District. Dairy producers, implement dealers, veterinarians, feed consultants and agricultural lenders were all represented. The positions of farm organizations were also shared.

John Frey, executive director of the Center for Dairy Excellence, said that the public and even farmers don’t realize the impact that the dairy industry has on the community.

“For every nine cows, one job is created,” Frey said. “Every dairy cow has a $14,000 impact on the commonwealth’s economy. With 50,000 cows that is a huge impact.

“I recently heard someone say, ‘Dairy farms grow the next generation of leaders in the community,” he said.

Dahlkemper anticipates that a pending bill with $350 million in relief for the dairy industry to pass the House soon.

Frey urged producers to contact their legislators to let them know what they want. “Legislators don’t know if we don’t tell them.”

“With population expected to top 2 billion by 2050, I am bullish on dairy,” Frey said. If we can get past this crisis, there is a bright future for dairy.

Paula Meabon, Erie County dairy farmer and member of the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, talked about the current programs made possible by the check-off funds that comes fromeach producer.

“Because of the current crisis, the board voted to move $35 million from long term to short term projects,” Meabon said. The job of the national dairy board is to increase demand for milk produced in this country.