Dairy summit set for Thursday

North Dakota Farmers Union will hold a dairy summit from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday at the Seven Seas Hotel in Mandan, N.D. Dairy producers will share their stories regarding the financial squeeze that comes as a result of high production costs and substantially lower milk income as compared to a year ago.

The free event is open to the public.

“Dairy farmers are struggling through some of the toughest times ever,” said North Dakota Farmers Union President Robert Carlson. “We are facing a serious crisis. If conditions do not change, we will see more dairy farmers quit for good. Our state cannot afford this loss.”

Among the dairy farmers who will share their experiences are Bill Riehl, Raleigh; Allan Tillman, New Salem; Kenton Holle, Mandan; and former dairy farmer Lynn Guston, Mandan. Tillman serves as president of the North Dakota Milk Producers Association.

Following comments by these dairy producers, Dwight Aakre, a farm management specialist at North Dakota State University, will speak. Closing comments will come from a representative of the Rural Electric Cooperatives. Gary Hoffman, executive director of the North Dakota Dairy Coalition, will also be available for questions and to offer insight into the future of North Dakota’s dairy industry.

U.S. Sens. Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan and Rep. Earl Pomeroy, as well as Gov. John Hoeven and Commissioner of Agriculture Doug Goehring, will be present to hear the concerns those affected by this dairy crisis.

Tags: north dakota, agriculture, news, dairy, livestock