It's not a surplus, stupid...

    ...it's market manipulation that's destroying dairy farms.  That's according to Leslie Hatfield, a regular contributor to the Huffington Post on issues relating to food and agriculture. With dairymen struggling to cope with their worst price drop since the Great Depression, Hatfield believes half the nation's milk producers could be out of business by the end of this year.
    And she points the finger of blame not at a supply surplus but at market manipulation by groups like the "cooperative" (her italics, not mine) Dairy Farmers of America. Increased imports, a lack of government oversight and a credit market collapse are all bearing down on dairymen, particularly the small operators, like four freight trains from four different directions.
    Under a 1938 law, according to Hatfield, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsak actually has the power to set a floor price for milk of $17.50, which obviously hasn't happened. And it would probably take two small armies of lawyers, one on each side of the issue, to determine if Vilsak actually does have that power.
    But it's a thought-provoking post from someone who obviously cares about the welfare of family farmers. You can read it here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leslie-hatfield/for-dairy-farmers-the-dep_b_214538.html

    Next time you're spending the night in Louisville, head on over to Churchill Downs for a little after-dark fun at the track. Except that you'd better check the schedule first. The nation's most august racetrack is staging night races this summer on a trial basis - just three nights this summer. Night racing has long been a staple at lesser venues, according to a story in the current issue of Mid-Atlantic Horse, a monthly feature in Lancaster Farming.

    I am cow. Hear me moo.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WFp4kozlOU