State's dairy farms growing, thanks to exports
KENNEWICK, Wash. (AP) - The value of Washington's dairy exports has soared.
The Tri-City Herald reports that according to the state Department of Agriculture, the state exported more than $461 million worth of dairy products in 2011. That's a 35 percent increase in three years.
Washington is the nation's second largest exporter of dairy products, after California. Darigold, which is owned by the Northwest Dairy Association, a co-op representing about 85 percent of the dairy farmers in Washington, says it has been expanding exports consistently.
Dermot Carey, a senior vice president at Darigold, says it's exporting more to Asia as economic growth fuels demand for dairy products in countries that don't have the infrastructure or climate to increase their own milk production.
The Yakima Valley is one of the largest dairy-producing areas in the nation. Benton, Franklin, Klickitat and Yakima counties have 91 dairies and more than 110,000 cows.
In 2011, the state's milk production was valued at $1.3 billion, up 34 percent from 2010.
The Tri-City Herald reports that according to the state Department of Agriculture, the state exported more than $461 million worth of dairy products in 2011. That's a 35 percent increase in three years.
Washington is the nation's second largest exporter of dairy products, after California. Darigold, which is owned by the Northwest Dairy Association, a co-op representing about 85 percent of the dairy farmers in Washington, says it has been expanding exports consistently.
Dermot Carey, a senior vice president at Darigold, says it's exporting more to Asia as economic growth fuels demand for dairy products in countries that don't have the infrastructure or climate to increase their own milk production.
The Yakima Valley is one of the largest dairy-producing areas in the nation. Benton, Franklin, Klickitat and Yakima counties have 91 dairies and more than 110,000 cows.
In 2011, the state's milk production was valued at $1.3 billion, up 34 percent from 2010.
Not all of them are doing well, depends on management for the most part. With the price of fuel, fertilizer, hay, machinery, vet care and most everything else going up and up, you never get ahead. Most are lucky to get by and I know many good dairymen who work longer hours than most people in any occupation. Â It's gotten to the point that unless you are big you don't have much of a chance.Â
From 1995 to 2011 the washington dairy industry has received $74 million dollars in federal farm subsidies. They should be doing well. With the help of the government and illegal workers all of the small farms have gone away. The above dairies average over 1200 cows each. Why should the taxpayers be subsidizing them?
http://farm.ewg.org/progdetail.php?fips=53000&progcode=tot_dairy
@rockguy Want to pay 8-10 dollars for a gallon of milk?