FORECAST FOR FARMERS INCLUDES CONCERNS
Monday, January 5th, 2009 -- 8:43 AM
We?ve all seen recaps of 2008?s big news events, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is predicting next year?s top stories.WFBF president Bill Bruins says the fiscal situation within the state capitol and on Wisconsin farms will be the top issues for agriculture in 2009.
Protection of the use value assessment law, as well as new environmental regulations and land-use proposals round out his list of top potential farm issues for 2009.
Bruins suggests upcoming decisions by Governor Jim Doyle and the Legislature will also have far-reaching impacts to rural Wisconsin.
[b]Milk Prices Dropping[/b]
2009 could be a rocky year for dairy farmers. After some good times, reports indicate prices farmers are paid for dairy products have plummeted in recent months and threaten to put a damper on the agricultural economy in early 2009.
Farm milk prices in 2009 will probably stay well below 2007 and 2008.
Milk prices at the farm gate have fallen to $15 per hundred pounds, down about 30 percent from last summer. Even worse for farmers, the Class III milk price could dip below $13 January through April.
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