Dairy Producers Fall on Hard Times

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

TUTTLE, Oklahoma -- Numerous dairymen producers are struggling to make ends meet and said this is the worst situation they've ever faced.

Dairy producer, Ronnie Firestone said he is struggling after feed and forage prices doubled and milk prices plummeted.

"We've taken a double hit and that's a very unique situation the dairy farmers are in today," Firestone said.

In Oklahoma, producers like Ronnie have been stressing over their cows for the last six months.

"We worry big time. I lay awake at night worried about it. We've had to change our lifestyle," Firestone said.

Audra Blasi is also worried, but she's not a dairy producer. She's a student at Oklahoma State University. She and other students are paid to work on the campus dairy farm, but students' experience and pay will get cut this fall.

"Virtually no dairymen irregardless of whether they are small or large can make a profit now and we're in the same situation," said David Jones, OSU Animal Science Dairy Herd.

Many of the students who work at the dairy farm said they can't afford to simply volunteer.

"When my hours get cut I don't know what I'm gonna do," said OSU student worker Audra Blasi.

Firestone said there's little he can do now but wait until things get better.

"This is our livelihood. It's what we've chosen. We love this industry. We love our cows, but we well we just hope it turns around soon," Firestone said.

Some state dairies have been forced to close their doors. A dairy in Hollis shutdown operations about two weeks ago due to recent troubles.

Several dairymen said now is a good time for consumers to take advantage of the low prices. They said that will not only help their business, but it will keep you healthy.