Dairy Market Concentration Highlights & News
from the April 1, 2004 National Family Farm Coalition meeting in Syracuse, NY

Addressing the April 1 dairy market consolidation conference, NY State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer promised to keep a close eye on the trend toward ever-fewer market players. Speakers (photo at left, seated left to right) included John Bunting, a NY dairy farmer; moderator Ed Slusczarzyk, NY Ag Radio Network; Bill Heffernan, professor emeritus of rural sociology, Univ. of Mo.; Pete Hardin, editor/publisher of The Milkweed; and Carole Knight, a former La. dairy farmer forced out of business by Mid-America Dairymen, Inc., a predecessor to Dairy Farmers of America.

Presentations

Attorney General Eliot Spitzer: Partial Transcript of Speech. The Attorney General’s involvement in milk and dairy issues is available at the OAG website: http://www.oag.state.ny.us/ (also, see links to specific issues below)
Pete Hardin: "DFA & Dean Foods - Dairy's Anti-Competitive Duo"
John Bunting: "Concentration and Farm Milk Pricing"
Carole Knight: "The Demise of Rinky Dink Dairy"
Michael Stumo: "Pickett v Tyson Foods Lawsuit" (PowerPoint file)
Thomas Dubbs, Esq: Cheese Market Manipulation Study
Prof. William Heffernan: Presentation Summary

News Coverage

AP Regional Wire: Growing dairy industry concentration dooms family farms
WMAC Northeast Public Radio: Dairy Farmers Discuss Industry Monopolization Note: audio file requires Windows Media Player (available via this link)
National Family Farm Coalition: news release

NY Attorney General Eliot Spitzer's Involvement in Other Milk Pricing Issues

Probe finds widespread sale of illegal foreign dairy products.
State and dairy company resolve milk overcharge
Investigation reveals apparent milk price gouging With prices to farmers at historic lows, retailers must answer why their milk prices continue to be so high," Spitzer said.
New York to Defend Dairy Compact