NEED HELP QUICK in support of Maine dairy industry

[Guest guest]

I spent most of last night and this morning researching and putting together

my testimony for the Maine Taxation Committee which is meeting in about an

hour to hear testimony on LD 345, the bill to support maine dairy farmers.

As a result, I am behind in my work right now and trying feverishly to catch

up, so I can't yet respond individually to the helpful emails I received.

But I just wanted to quickly thank the folks who sent me information,

especially Tim and for such thoughtful replies.

This morning I ran my testimony by the president of the Maine Organic

Farmers and Gardeners Association, who is going to the hearing in person to

testify on behalf of her organization. She said she thought my testimony was

great, and was so happy to see someone *else* raising the same issues that

MOFGA has been talking about - namely the importance of supporting small

scale family farms at a time when they are being driven out of business by

the mega factory farms and corporate agribusinesses. This was the focus of

my testimony. Unsurprisingly, the reason that our dairy industry is now in a

crisis, is not just because the New England Dairy Compact expired

(guaranteeing a minimum price per hundred weight), but is largely due to

milk OVERproduction by huge factory farm dairies in western states, which

has caused milk prices to plummet. Yes, it's the same scenario that is being

played out all over the country - these conglomerates are undercutting

prices that small producers simply can't match. i don't doubt for a second

that this is an intentional strategy to eliminate the competition. which of

course, also eliminates consumer choice. and in maine, has resulted in an

annual loss of approx. $22.77 million dollars.

Unlike many other states, maine's dairy industry includes a lot of small

scale family farms (i think we have 400 total). We also have at least one

major milk supplier that only buys milk from farms that pledge not to use

bovine growth hormones. And we have strong support for local Maine milk that

is rBGH-free. Although, in recent months, Monsanto is trying to take away

the right of Mainers to chose locally-produced rBGH-free milk. (Maine

Attorney General Not Cowed by Monsanto’s Claims about Maine Dairy Quality

Seal http://www.mofga.org/mofgm03g.html).

Thanks again to those who helped! Will keep you posted :-)

Oh, and I don't know if anyone has any interest in what's going on in the

new england dairy industry, bu here are some bullets that I included to

support my testimony from local newspaper articles:

· “The state's dairy farms grossed $106 million in revenues in 2001, more

than any other agricultural commodity in the state.” (Associated Press,

January 28, 2003)

· One year ago, when wholesale milk prices were stabilized by the Northeast

Dairy Compact, $1.65 of every gallon went back to farmers. That figure is

now down to $1.10. With 41.4 million gallons of milk produced each year in

Maine, that amounts to a loss of $22.77 million. (Associated Press, January

28, 2003)

· “The prices today are so low, according to one study, that Maine farmers

are losing more than $8 for every hour they work. " These are Jimmy

prices in a W. Bush world, " said Wellington, an economist with

Agri-Mark, a dairy cooperative owned by New England farmers. " The stress on

dairy farmers is the greatest I've seen in my 25-year career. " ” (Portland

Press Herald, January 26, 2003)

· “There is a ripple effect. As farmers cut back, grain companies, mechanics

and equipment dealers also watch revenues drop. Farmers are worried that the

state could lose one of its three grain companies, as well as one of its

three major milk processors.” (Portland Press Herald, January 26, 2003)

· “Wellington warned that the state is on the cusp of losing the

infrastructure needed for the dairy industry to prosper. That has already

happened in every other New England state except Vermont.” (Portland Press

Herald, January 26, 2003)

· “At risk in this crisis, said dairy farmer Wadsworth, is the

future of Maine's rural economy and its landscape. Many abandoned dairy

pastures will be turned into house lots, increasing the pace and costs of

sprawl, he said.” (Portland Press Herald, January 26, 2003)

· “Overproduction of milk by huge dairy farms in Western states caused the

price to plummet, Wellington said. While New England farms are going

bankrupt, farms in California, Idaho and New Mexico have been growing

astronomically.” (Portland Press Herald, January 26, 2003)

Suze Fisher

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