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Buyers come forward to assist displaced Minnesota dairies

Three processors have agreed to accept milk from 10 Minnesota dairy farms affected by the ongoing trade dispute between the U.S. and Canada.

The Minnesota Milk Producers Association says the buyers, all located within the state, are connecting with the farms to ensure there is a home for their milk.

The issue stems from changes to the Canadian pricing system that led to Grassland Dairy (of Greenwood, Wisconsin) losing a major customer and ending agreements with more than 70 producers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and New York.

Minnesota Milk chairman Dave Buck (of Goodhue) thanked the state Department of Agriculture, federal legislators, and especially the processors for continuously monitoring milk levels to bring on any milk for which they could find room.

Minnesota Milk executive director Lucas Sjostrum says the situation shows how Minnesota’s dairy cooperatives need better market signals to expand.