Why has the price of milk paid to Vermont farmers fallen so much?
AP: The dairy industry will say it’s because production is up in other parts of the country and that’s driving down prices. I say it’s because of monopolization of the market resulting from the consolidation I spoke of earlier. SD: The state is going to provide $8.5 million in emergency assistance to dairy farmers because of low prices and the bad weather. That should make a difference, right? AP: The state doesn’t have an effective response at all to what’s happening. Why does the state government stand by and expect it’s OK for farmers to sell milk at prices below their production costs? How can politicians have the chutzpah to praise farmers for all their hard work and perseverance after the politicians have given their own selves raises? We’re loving Vermont farmers, all right — loving them to death. All this stuff about how great farmers are doesn’t put a penny in their pockets. Sending them subsidy checks is a nice thing to do, but it’s not very empowering. If anything, it creat
