Assemblymember Brindisi Seeks Cost-Saving Measure for Dairy Farmers

January 31, 2013

In an effort to alleviate costs for dairy farmers struggling to meet growing demand in the Greek yogurt industry, Assemblymember Anthony J. Brindisi (D-Utica) wrote a letter to Governor Cuomo urging him to put forward a 21-day amendment of his executive budget proposal that would eliminate CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operations) regulations for farms with less than 300 cows.

“The emerging Greek yogurt industry is becoming an integral part of our economy,” Assemblymember Brindisi said. “We need to do all we can to ensure farmers can meet the needs of the market place. By eliminating a costly restriction, we would allow dairy farms to create more jobs and remain vibrant for years to come.”

Currently, CAFO fees can cost farmers up to $2,400 per cow if they have more than 200 in their herd. According to Assemblymember Brindisi, many small dairy farms can’t afford the prohibitive cost and are forced to limit the number of cows they own, despite having the capacity for higher production. At last year’s Yogurt Summit, Governor Cuomo pledged to increase the CAFO threshold from 200 to 300 cows, but the initiative has yet to be implemented.

“For our farmers to reap the full benefits, we have to make sure the milk being used to meet increased demand is New York milk,” Assemblymember Brindisi said. “We must make sure New York dairy farmers can afford to increase the size of their herds so that they can produce all the milk needed to supply Greek yogurt manufacturers.”

Governor Cuomo introduced his executive budget proposal to the Assembly on Jan. 22. He has until Feb. 12 to make his first round of amendments and release them to the Legislature.

What's New