News

Dairy Discussion focuses on helping struggling farmers

Minnesota farm group leaders, industry officials, and producers joined Congressman Collin Peterson Wednesday in Albany to discuss how legislators can help struggling dairy farmers.

 

Peterson, the Ranking Democrat on the House Ag Committee, told listeners of Brownfield affiliate KASM’s Dairy Discussion program lawmakers are looking for ways to assist farmers in the next Farm Bill.

Minnesota Farmers Union president Gary Wertish joined Peterson on the show and says the dairy safety net isn’t working.

“We keep losing dairy farmers.  The small, medium, and even some of the larger dairy farms are going out of business, while some of the really large ones are expanding.  The system just is not working.”

He tells Brownfield more dairies are becoming casualties of low milk prices with little hope in sight.

Minnesota Farm Bureau president Kevin Paap says all of agriculture is suffering and needs to come together.

“Working together within the industry, working together as farm groups, and quite frankly working together in Congress.  Whether it be the Ag Committee or full House and Senate, to move forward on a Farm Bill.”

When asked about the 2018 Farm Bill, Peterson said Republicans and Democrats are no closer in resolving differences over the nutrition title.

 

Gary Wertish audio:

 

Kevin Paap audio: