CHEESE PRICE PLUMMETS
Monday, January 12th, 2009 -- 11:21 AM
Wisconsin's 15,000 dairy farmers are struggling with declining milk prices caused by a dramatic drop in the price of cheese.About 80% of the state's milk is used to produce cheese, so cheese prices largely determine milk prices paid to farmers.
The price of cheese has lost about 40% of its value in the last 30 days. The week ended on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange with the price of barrel cheddar cheese at $1.07 per pound. The month began with the price at $1.79 per pound.
At Quantum Dairy in the Town of Weyauwega, 1,750 cows produce 4 million pounds of milk per month. Quantum's Kurt Duxbury says they're shutting down one milking parlor to increase their efficiency. He says
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