June is National Dairy Month, making it the perfect time to recognize the hard-working men and women of New York’s dairy industry. Dairy farming falls under the larger category of agriculture, which just so happens to be the largest industry in New York state.
Milk, New York’s leading agricultural product, is produced statewide. Milk sales in New York state account for one-half of our total agricultural receipts. Production in 2005 was 11.7 billion pounds with a preliminary value of $1.91 billion, which makes New York the nation’s third leading producer of milk, behind only California and Wyoming.
We all know that New York is facing hard economic times and, during tough times, those of us in state government need to do all that we can to support and sustain the industries that traditionally thrive in our state. That is why, this year, I sponsored a bill that establishes a dairy farmers’ bill of rights. The bill expands and further defines prohibited practices by milk dealers in their business relationship with dairy farmers. Specifically, the bill prohibits milk dealers from committing coercion, breach of contract, bribery, refusal to deal, falsehood or conspiracy when doing business with dairy farmers.
On June 9, my Assembly colleagues and I will be celebrating New York’s dairy industry by hosting our annual Dairy Day in Albany. The event also features Dairy Princesses from around the state, as well as a live calf.
The event will feature a variety of milk, yogurt, cheese and, everyone’s favorite, ice cream. As always, vendors from all over upstate New York are scheduled to participate and showcase their fresh products. This year’s participants include The American Dairy Association, Garelick Farms, H.P. Hood, McCadam Cheese, Mercer’s Dairy, New York State Dairy Foods Inc., Perry’s Ice Cream, Pride of New York, Ronnybrook Farms Dairy, Sorento Lactalis, Stewart’s Shops and Upstate Niagara Co-op.
I encourage everyone to support New York’s Dairy industry during National Dairy Month by purchasing dairy products. You will not only be helping one of the industries most vital to New York’s economy, you also will be doing something good for your health!