Vermont dairy not top in the nation

VERMONT — Although dairy plays a big part in Vermont agriculture, and indeed in the economy and character of the Green Mountain State, dairy in Vermont plays a small role in the nationwide picture for milk, butter and cheese production. That’s the word from King Whetstone, Regional Director of the Northeast Regional Field Office of the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, in a recent Northeast dairy products summary.Whetstone’s statistics do show that Vermont is ahead of another state in the Nor … (read more)

VERMONT — With the release of a report detailing state spending to support the dairy industry and mitigate its environmental impacts between 2010 and 2019, the state auditor has offered a new angle on Vermont dairy that doesn’t entirely mesh with the indu … (read more)

The Vermont State Auditor’s report, which tells us that the cost to taxpayers for supporting the Vermont dairy industry during the period 2010-2019 has been very high but stops short of saying largely ineffective, has already stimulated the predictable re … (read more)

MONTPELIER — In the past decade, Vermont has spent $285 million supporting the dairy industry and mitigating its environmental impacts. Those findings are from a new report by the Vermont State Auditor’s Office, which dove into what it called the “complex … (read more)

VERMONT — Next week a special social media event will showcase a day in the life of Vermont farmers. #Farm24VT runs from 5 a.m. on Wednesday, May 12, until 5 a.m. the following day. Farmers will share photos, videos and stories that provide a behind-the-s … (read more)

BURLINGTON — Curious about what a cow eats? Or how farmers use technology on the farm? Students, ages 12-18, will have an opportunity to delve into these and other questions about dairy farming through “Exploring Vermont Dairy.” This free, five-part serie … (read more)

VERMONT — The 2021 Online Dairy Education Series will provide farmers with the latest research and information on forage production, cow comfort and other dairy topics. The University of Vermont (UVM) Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program will host … (read more)

MONTPELIER — The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets this week introduced the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center, known also at the NE-DBIC. It is one of three USDA Dairy Business Innovation Centers in the U.S. The Northeast DBIC provi … (read more)

VERMONT — 2020 has been a tough year for Vermont dairy producers. The pandemic has spurred heavy losses across the industry. Prices have been so low, there’s even been milk dumping. Some dairy farmers have shut their barn doors for good. But with more peo … (read more)

ADDISON COUNTY — Migrant dairy worker Lenin Ventura spent his first four years in Vermont laboring and living under poor conditions. On one dairy farm, “we used to live in a small home where there was only one bathroom for six people, and there were probl … (read more)

By LISA HALVORSEN, Freelance Agricultural Journalist for UVM Extension BRIDPORT — Sunderland Farm, a sixth-generation dairy operation in Bridport, can best be described as a farm with a future that’s not forgotten its past. Although it can trace its begin … (read more)

VERMONT — The state of Vermont has announced a new grant program aimed at helping dairy farmers and businesses that produce dairy weather the economic fallout from COVID-19. Of the $35 million in federal funding the state has set aside for the Vermont COV … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — At a time when many Americans are facing unprecedented hardships as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance along with Dairy Farmers of America, Bourdeau Brothers and Pleasant Valley Farms of Berkshire are working … (read more)

VERMONT — While saluting the work of Vermont dairy famers, Congressman Peter Welch said that Washington hasn’t yet pulled together the economic support they need to weather the economic downturn brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. “Farmers need cash n … (read more)

WEYBRIDGE — Even as some grocery stores continue to limit the amount of milk that customers are allowed to purchase, Vermont’s dairy farmers have dumped hundreds of thousands of gallons of milk before processing, according to data collected by the Vermont … (read more)