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Drought and low prices threatening dairy farmers

Posted at 10:43 AM, Aug 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-20 08:01:14-04

There are only a couple days left for the Erie County Fair, which is also a big celebration of the local agriculture industry.  However, as dairy farmers start heading back home, they are returning to a difficult situation thanks to Mother Nature and the current economics of dairy prices.

Farmers tells 7 Eyewitness News that the hot summer and drought conditions have cut production of milk while increasing the cost of feeding cows.  On top of that, the average price of milk has hit a seven-year low in the U.S. thanks to excess supply and a weak worldwide market.

According to the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County, the situation is costing farmers more money to produce milk than what they can sell it for.

7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly talked with local dairy farmers about the situation.