N.D. dairy farmers struggling

MANDAN, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota dairy farmers say they need double the price they're getting for their milk to survive.

Dairy farmers gathered in Mandan on Thursday at a conference sponsored by Farmers Union to talk about problems in their industry. They say milk prices have been cut in half over the past year, to less than $10 per hundred pounds. They would like to see the government set a minimum price of $18.

But farmers also say there are things they need to do, as well — like better manage supply, and promote their product.

Milk producers are struggling with high production costs at a time when milk prices are plummeting. The economic recession has reduced milk demand around the globe, creating a glut on the market.

The Agriculture Department last month raised the price the government pays for milk and cheddar cheese through a dairy price support program to try to help farmers. Many milk producers around the country say it won't be enough to save them.

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