Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) applauded Governor Cuomo and the Department of Environmental Conservation for easing regulations on dairy farms with 200 to 299 cows.

“New York’s yogurt production has skyrocketed in recent years,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “Relaxing the regulations on dairy farmers will help them grow their operations to fill the national demand for yogurt products produced right in our back yard. Businesses like Fagé in Johnstown will be able to increase production and create even more local jobs.”

Santabarbara added that New York recently surpassed California as the number one yogurt producer in the country, with production nearly tripling in the last five years. He said the new regulation changes will help New York keep the top spot.

Previous regulations cost farmers upward of $150,000 when increasing the amount of cows on a farm from 199 to 200, making it difficult for many dairy farms to expand their businesses. With the new regulations, farmers with less than 200 cows can now expand their operations up to 299 cows without incurring those burdensome costs, helping foster growth to fill the growing demand for New York’s yogurt products.