By Rebecca Feldhaus/KPR
Murray, KY – A University of Kentucky agricultural economist says some Kentucky dairy farmers might claim 2009 was their toughest year ever. Kenny Burdine says here has been some recovery this year, but certainly not enough to forget last year.
"Prices are three to five dollars a hundred weight higher than they were then certainly puts them closer to break even levels but it doesn't go anywhere near in terms of actually helping them to recover some of the losses they had in 2009."
Burdine says a cooperative is removing sizeable numbers of cows from dairy production. He says it has helped to drive up prices, but some of the remaining cows are producing more milk. Higher production levels tend to hurt prices.