Future of local dairies hang in the balance - The Park Record

Future of local dairies hang in the balance - The Park Record: "Future of local dairies hang in the balance
Rain has complicated hay prices which need to be low for locals to stay in business
by Andrew Kirk, OF THE RECORD STAFF
Posted: 06/16/2009 04:54:53 PM MDT


The future of Summit County's four remaining dairies hang in the balance and recent rain showers have only complicated the situation.
The global market has pushed milk prices to a low comparable with the 1950s and dairies across the country are simply trying to hang on and wait out the slump. Making matters worse, premium hay prices for the cows were at an all-time high last year. In April, Summit County's dairymen said that unless hay prices came down in June by half, they'll all be out of business.
The rain has kept this year's prices up in the air.
Dave Ure said there are a lot of negotiations going on. As far as he knows, not a 'lick of hay' has been sold in Utah as dairies demand the prices come down.
Sterling Banks at the Utah State University extension office in Coalville said he predicts the prices to be lower this year, but still over what Glen Brown of Brown's Dairy in Coalville the largest grossing agricultural operation in the county said will be affordable."