It's really not any front page news that farming is hard work. But for the small family owned farms around Western New York (and the entire country for that matter) there is an added burden. As supply seems to be at a higher level these days because of the slowing of exports to Europe, and more notably, China, some experts predict that the price of milk will drop and that spells trouble for farmers and the entire economy may feel that strain.

I have been on numerous farms and have personally gotten to know many of the hard working families that keep the dairy industry in business. From some of the biggest farms that have staff milking around the clock, to those that basically produce enough milk to pay the bills, there is a common thread. Passion and pride are what keeps them milking even when the prices take a plunge.

I spent an afternoon on a local dairy farm last week and learned about how the news of the global drop in price affects farm families here in Western New York.

Rich Hoelscher of Hill Top Dairy Farm in Langford/North Collins took over the responsibilities on the farm  after his father passed away . After losing a brother at a young age, it was up to Rich to maintain the family business. "We milk twice a day, 5am and around  5pm most days," Rich told me. I walked behind him as he used a motorized hand cart to feed 70 cows in the main barn. "We pretty much are self sustaining. We fix what breaks, grow as much feed as we can on our own and have a staff of just a few," Hoelscher said. "Today it's me and my son Brian and my sister Brenda."

The 3 person crew was very efficient. Each person had their own job and as  Brian told me "..we try to stay out of each others' way as best we can and it makes the chores move along as seamless as possible." Saving time is key when the spring, summer and fall roll around. The work days get longer and so does the list of things to do. "We do all the land work as well," the elder Hoelscher explained "besides the milking/barn chores, we prepare the fields, plant, fertilize and harvest as much as we can on our own."

Even though the outside temperature was 12 degrees, the barn was comfortable as Rich moved swiftly up and down the aisle tending to the cows. He pointed out a rare Red Lineback calf (see photo in gallery above)  that will be made a show cow and shown at the fair this summer.  Barn cats bounded from hay bale to hay bale as the sound of the barn cleaner chain kept a steady beat. The setting winter sun was shining bright through the frost coated windows as Brenda went from cow to cow attaching the vacuum milking machines. Hill Top Farm proudly displays their "Dairy of Distinction" sign at the entrance to the main driveway.

Brian told me that Hill Top Farms is on an "every other day" pick up. "We usually have around 6,000lbs hauled out of here each pick up."As for the quality of milk? "We have a professional nutritionist  help to make sure we are giving the cows the best feed we can." He went on to say that "the right feed is a huge factor in the health of the cow and the quality/amount of milk can they produce."

Family Bonding

Farming  is more than just daily physical work, it's also a business. Rich, who has two other sons, Jeff and Eric and two daughters, Dawn and Ashley who all assist in some fashion on the farm, will be the first to tell you that he is very aware of the dairy market and prices. "I check  prices of milk and butter every chance I can," he said .2014 was a good year for the dairy industry as prices got to around $26 per 100 pound weight of milk. Experts anticipate that prices could fall to $18 soon and $15 per 100 pound weight isn't out of the question.

From Farm To Table

Hill Top Farm is part of Upstate Niagara Cooperative. One of the more well respected cooperatives in The United States, Upstate consists of 360 family-owned farms in Western New York. That's is a big number of farms and 360 families that have the same financial worries as  Rich Hoeslcher and his family. The cooperatives work to help keep the dairy industry growing by packaging, promoting and selling the highest quality dairy products possible.

 

Upstate Niagara truck
Upstate Niagara truck
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Some stats from Upstate Niagara:

  • Over 360 farmer owners
  • Our own guaranteed high-quality milk supply
  • Handles over 2 billion pounds of milk annually
  • Operates five plants: two cultured, two fluid and one specialty dairy plant (O-AT-KA)
  • Manufacturers full line of fluid milk (including single serve), ice cream mix, yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream, sour cream based dips, and a variety of fluid dairy bi-products
  • Brands include: Upstate Farms®, Bison® and Intense Milk®
  • Additionally, Upstate Niagara produces a line of corporate brand and foodservice products
  • Dairy experts with robust quality assurance programs
  • $760 million in sales
  • 19th largest US dairy cooperative
  • 36th largest US dairy processor
  • Upstate Farms® named 2014 best milk process by Cornell University NYS Milk Quality Improvement Program

 

The rise in popularity of yogurt based products has helped to boost revenues over the last year or so . But as some reports indicate, other countries are slowing their dairy imports from The United States and moving toward powdered milk , there is a growing need for milk products to move off of shelves here in The United States.

Upstate Niagara products
Upstate Niagara products
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That requires small farms like Hill Top to keep production the same or better while trying to eliminate/cut costs where they can. "It was nice to have some left over to save at the end of last year," Hoelscher told me. "2009 was probably the worst I have seen and we made it through that." As these smaller farms struggle, so does the local economy over time. Farm equipment sales, fertilizer and supply companies will feel the pinch as will the plants and factories that employee people in the dairy industry.

What The Future Looks Like

Historically, in the worst cases, cows have to be auctioned off and land is often sold to meet the debt demands and keep the family fed. "We don't get many days off," Hoelscher said. Referring to the general public, he told me that "The younger generation doesn't seem to understand the hard work and sacrifices that come with running a small farm."

Farming is a tough business and hard work in any economy. We can help invest in the future of the dairy industry and Western New York  simply by eating more dairy products and drinking more milk. Farmers (dairy or otherwise) are the very backbone of this country. Feeding a nation is a big job that most take for granted when they walk through a grocery store. It's the small family farms that feel the price roller coaster the worst. Yet they press on.

Is it stubbornness? Sure. Is it because of tradition that they continue to beat up their bodies and sacrifice things for their family and future generations? Yes, in just about every case. However, you won't find a more proud, honest, loyal and dedicated, passionate American than the family-owned dairy farmer. I think we all should raise a tall glass of milk to that!

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