Ellsworth, Wisconsin may be known as the “cheese curd capitol” – but those cheese curds aren’t moving like they were pre-covid. With that in mind, dairy farms that partner with Ellsworth Cooperative received letters that say they may be dumping milk as soon as next week.
In the letter, aside from explaining the possibility of having to dump milk, a new wrinkle was offered to farms that would quit dairying all together. Under the board approved plan, dairies would be paid all of their patron equity dating back to 2010 and through 2019 if they sell all their cows by April 15th. There are other additional requirements that must be met.
The company points to the dramatic drop they’ve seen in cheese prices at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and cancelled orders from some of the food service partners as the major drivers to this historic, unprecedented move. They also note they are still processing the milk they have in plant.
WAXX-FM, Midwest Farm Report Broadcaster, Bob Bosold spoke with one of the impacted dairy farmers and current board member, Martin Hallock of Mondovi on the situation.
Listen to Bob and Marty’s conversation by pressing play below.
https://omny.fm/shows/mid-west-farm-report-madison/marty-hallock-dairy-crisis
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Lin Ball says
This is crazy, in this crisis, offer milk to the low income people free of charge and donate more to the food banks. Or make cheese and do the same. Dairy farmers are the nations backbone. No dairy, no ice cream, cheese, yogurt, etc. my opinion…
Pam Jahnke says
Let me say this again- this milk is unprocessed and unpackaged so it CAN’T be donated. If we could get it processed/packaged it would be on store shelves for sale.
John KIRKLAND says
IS THE TRUCKS NOT OPERATING TO TRANSPORT The raw milk from farms to the creamery . We will be praying for the farmers along with everyone else.
Debrah johnson says
Aren’t you an essential business. Make products you can send to other countries even
Keep the farmers in business.
Pam Jahnke says
We’re hearing this morning that one dairy plant is trying to reset a cheese plant and dry milk down to powder. We’re still not sure if they’re successful and that would basically only handle their current dairy patrons – but maybe its hope.
Betsy says
With so many starving people….why don’t the dairy’s donate the milk?
Pam Jahnke says
Again remember, this is uprocessed, unpackaged milk. If they could process/package it to donate – they could get it to the store for sale.
Beth says
I guess I don’t understand why it cannot be processed…… it’s essential.
And during this time you are going to punish all these farmers?
Makes me want to rethink who’s products I will be buying in the future
Daniel Winberg says
Farmers should be compensated from the federal government just like any other businesses suffering from covid 19 this is there lively hood
ma says
what action should we take, as consumers, to draw attention to the plight of our beloved farmers? Do we contact the whitehouse, our state senators, Wisconsin senators, the US senators, attorney general’s office?
Pam Jahnke says
I think all of the above. Farmers are busy trying to survive and still get chores done. They need the voice of concerned consumers to share their story and ask for as much assistance to farmers and the food chain as possible. This may only be the beginning.