100 Dairy Farms Expected to Close in California

Dairy industry leaders are estimating that by year’s end, more than 100 dairy farms will close in California, the nation’s largest dairy-producing state. The looming closures are due to fallout stemming from this summer’s drought, which caused massive crop devastation and caused the cost of feed to skyrocket. The California Department of Food and Agriculture, which previously adjusted milk prices via tax subsidies, has stated that it will not make further adjustments for the industry; as a result, prices for dairy-seeking consumers will increase come November. The drought has the farmed-animal industry setting record high prices for meat products, with economists forecasting price increases stretching into 2014.