Rep. Courtney testifies on behalf of CT's dairy farmers

On July 14, 2009, Congressman Joe Courtney found himself on the other side of a Congressional hearing today when the Connecticut Representative offered testimony before the House Agriculture Committees Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry to discuss the dairy crisis occurring across the nation and in Connecticut.

Congressman Courtney was invited to provide testimony before the Subcommittee by the Chairman of the full Committee, Collin Peterson, because of the Connecticut Congressmans leadership on dairy issues.

Connecticuts dairy industry is struggling because of the economic crisis, stated Courtney. While the federal and state governments are helping to soften the blow from the rapid decline in milk prices, the problem is just too severe to be ignored. My testimony before the subcommittee reaffirms my commitment to saving the Connecticut dairy industry because of its heritage and its $1.1 billion contribution to our states economy.

Since 2007, Connecticuts dairy industry has declined by more than 10 percent. Connecticut has lost nearly 60 farms since that time.

Milk production currently costs dairy farmers approximately $19 per hundred weight and milk sells for about $12 per hundred weight. The dramatic fall in the selling price of milk because of the economic downturn is causing an acceleration of dairy farm closings.

With the sharp decline in prices, dairy farmers now pay to bring milk to the market. There are very few industries, if any, that would survive such an equation. Our local industry must be helped before it is too late, added Courtney.

Congressman Joe Courtney has been a strong supporter of Connecticuts dairy industry. During 2009, Congressman Courtney has successfully lobbied Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to make a bulk purchase of 200 million pounds of dairy to help decrease excess supply on the market and temporarily stabilize prices.

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