Sooner or later, the talking points will be about alternative sources of dairy like soy or rice milk to reduce our dependence on dairy cattle. At least that’s the crisis the June 27 “World News with Charles Gibson” portrayed.
A report by ABC correspondent Betsy Stark suggested that although Americans are seeing lower prices at the pump, they must face the newest economic problem – the rising price of dairy.
ABC News has only reported the decline in gas prices twice in its nightly newscasts since they began to go down right before the Memorial Day holiday. Gas prices have gone down on average 24 cents nationally and this was only mentioned on two broadcasts.
And although the amount Americans spend on dairy on average is far less than what they spend on gas, Stark spared no hardship story about the rising costs. She even managed to draw parallels between milk and gas prices, suggesting the global market of milk has our prices on the rise as China and India begin to have an increased demand.



















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leon, quick look here!
June 28, 2007 - 13:50 ET by vrwc13wow, we will be hearing about this one "until the homes come cow"!
"Simple and plain" - leon
Let's take a look at some of
June 28, 2007 - 14:15 ET by MikeBLet's take a look at some of the inputs into the production of milk. Besides grazing on grass, the milk cattle are also given feed, one component of which is corn. Corn is also an input in the manufacturing of ethanol which has been mandated for fuel. Therefore, the dairies are competing with the oil refiners for corn, and the price has gone up. The price of the fuel to produce the corn also was up during the planting and cultivating period, so the corn farmers must recoup their expenses for their high priced fuel. Electricity is used to run the milking machines, and the sterilizing equipment and refrigeration equipment. How have the prices of coal, natural gas and fuel oil been during the last several months? Fuel is used to move the milk from the dairies to the processing plants, and from the processing plants to the stores. More expense. The stores use electricity to light, heat, cool, run their stores. More expense. So, the rise in milk prices is not some conspiracy on the part of Big Milk.
It is such a shame that those who report on economic issues have no concept of economics.
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
And we mustn't forget that th
June 28, 2007 - 14:27 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveAnd we mustn't forget that the shelf life of fresh milk/dairy products are extremely time sensitive. This adds to the cost. Milk and dairy products are also packaged differently than gasoline. Milk and dairy are packaged in units while gasoline is packaged for bulk sale...more that adds to the cost of milk. People also forget to factor in inflation. I remember buying a gallon of milk 10 years ago for like $1.85, but I also remember buying ground beef for less than $1/lb...now ground beef is over $2/lb...but that has more to do with inflation and supply/demand than actual production costs. Inflation has much more to do with a perceived increase in price than actual increases in actual production costs.
When you factor in the costs and inflation, milk is still relatively inexpensive.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
Milk costs are going to con
June 28, 2007 - 16:07 ET by JDWMilk costs are going to continue to rise. What factor will packaging, inflation, shelf life play?
JDW
News media: Scoreboard for terrorists
We need to start an anti-
June 28, 2007 - 17:43 ET by Conservative VoiceWe need to start an anti-ethanol campaign. Of all the ways we can curb our dependence on foreign oil, ethanol is the dumbest. Not only does it cost more to produce...because it can't be piped, it has to be trucked, cars don't run as efficient (so energy savings is rather suspect)...and you have more engine wear, and more people starve due to changing our food into fuel. If you want to convert something into an energy source find something that we don't eat.
Save our cow campaign...harvest oil the old fashion way...kill a whale or drill it.
CV...I have the perfect solut
June 28, 2007 - 17:48 ET by Clear thinkerCV...
I have the perfect solution....Kudzu.
The liberal MSM has become an enemy of the USA.
to infest tree hugger far
June 28, 2007 - 17:53 ET by Conservative Voiceto infest tree hugger farms with?
Or to feed the cow with?
anti-death
June 28, 2007 - 17:58 ET by LionKingScientist should quit researching how to kill kudzu.Instead, they should find out how its ability to survive everything can be used to help humans. Something that will not die must have something to offer humans to defy death.
actually I think some peopl
June 28, 2007 - 20:13 ET by Conservative Voiceactually I think some people consider it to be a herb right?
CV...To use instead of corn f
June 28, 2007 - 18:09 ET by Clear thinkerCV...
To use instead of corn for a fuel source.
The liberal MSM has become an enemy of the USA.
Only if we dno't stop growi
June 28, 2007 - 20:12 ET by Conservative VoiceOnly if we dno't stop growing something else in replace of I would agree. But there are better sources of energy. When we hunted whales for fuel, it got to the point where we were running out of whales and that is when we discovered oil. Well we aren't near the oil shortage yet...heck we still don't quite have an understanding of why we even have oil, I have heard that some wells keep generating oil beyond what they thought possible. But when we do run low on oil, that is when it will be affordable to move to something else. Until then, drill.
Drill Often...Drill Everywher
June 28, 2007 - 17:52 ET by bigtimerDrill Often...Drill Everywhere!
Within our own borders and shores....
We should of been doing this yesterday...we are going to rue the day we didn't...thanks to the leftists and the RINO's like McCain.
It ain't all ethanol
June 28, 2007 - 18:46 ET by nkviking75This article from mySA.com notes that drought in Australia and increased demand from China are also major factors. A lot of our cattle country has experienced drought as well. The huge spike in gas prices affect transportation costs and costs of keeping cows warm in cold climates. And there are some complicated government programs governing the price of milk. In other words, it ain't all ethanol. Ethanol does have a lot of problems and unintended consequences, but killing it would not in itself solve problems like this.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
No Blood For Milk!!Oh, $4.09/
June 28, 2007 - 14:16 ET by Prester JohnNo Blood For Milk!!
Oh, $4.09/gallon in northern Virginia. Maybe the grocery stores need to put up signs like the gas stations do.
non-fat - $4.09low fat 1% - a
June 28, 2007 - 14:21 ET by vrwc13Men stumble over the truth from time to time, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened. -Winston Churchill.
Maybe the MSM is holding off
June 28, 2007 - 14:44 ET by RoverMaybe the MSM is holding off for now, but I missed their conclusion that it's all Bush's plan because he's from "Big Milk."
Bush is from Texas, Texas has
June 28, 2007 - 15:00 ET by vrwc13Bush is from Texas, Texas has lots of cows, thus Bush must have lots of cow, Holy Cow I think we are on to something here!
oh my did I just say "Holy"! Uh oh, here comes all the "Bible-thumping" comments now.
Men stumble over the truth from time to time, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened. -Winston Churchill.
v - my church is better than
June 28, 2007 - 15:05 ET by florida_chadv - my church is better than your church :o)
fl_chad, v....I like that.
June 28, 2007 - 15:12 ET by vrwc13fl_chad, v....I like that. I have been called vr, vast, VRWC, bigot, corny (leon today).
Let's go with it....v. Kind of like MR T, or O. Simple, easy, and you can pronounce it unlike that one the Former Artist Named Prince used. v.....thanks fl_chad.
V - its simple and plainI thi
June 28, 2007 - 15:16 ET by florida_chadV - its simple and plain
I think Loen will like it also.
Yes, like he will....v"S
June 28, 2007 - 15:18 ET by vrwc13Yes, like he will....v
Now what's all this got to do with milk?
"Simple and plain" - leon
picture nice
June 28, 2007 - 15:20 ET by florida_chadpicture nice
fl_chad, thanks but let's get
June 28, 2007 - 15:27 ET by vrwc13fl_chad, thanks but let's get this thread track on back...v
"Simple and plain"
June 28, 2007 - 15:28 ET by mandrake"Simple and plain" - leon"
I was under the impression that at this site, the moment you ridicule someone's spelling or grammar, you lose the arguement. In other words...let it go!
Mandrake,The difference is
June 28, 2007 - 15:31 ET by MightyMouthMandrake,
The difference is that Leon kept it going, it's a little different when someone can admit they were wrong like "oops spelled that wrong" but Leon didn't. Hence the extra teasing...
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Well if he invited it, that '
June 28, 2007 - 15:34 ET by mandrakeWell if he invited it, that 's different. Sorry, I haven't kept up. :-)
Mandrake, youv'e missed a lot
June 28, 2007 - 15:32 ET by vrwc13Mandrake, you've missed a lot...out chill...v
Bush is a Buddist?Build The F
June 28, 2007 - 15:25 ET by Airforce_5_OBush is a Buddhist?
Build The Fence
I guess those Cows in Califor
June 28, 2007 - 14:22 ET by Airforce_5_OI guess those Cows in California are not as happy as the commercials say.
Maybe it's time to invade Cally and get our milk back.
Build The FenceMilk
June 28, 2007 - 14:28 ET by JNaughtMy goodness! Let's celebrate!!! Gas prices have retreated to $3.00 per gallon. Middle America has never had it so good!
If we brought in more Mexican
June 28, 2007 - 14:42 ET by RoverIf we brought in more Mexican cows, maybe they'll give the milk that American cows don't want to give.
good one Rover, but watch out
June 28, 2007 - 14:47 ET by vrwc13good one Rover, but watch out for Tumbler, he could resurrect and udderly pounce on you.
face piles of trials with smiles
Probably not before I hoof it
June 28, 2007 - 14:55 ET by RoverProbably not before I hoof it on out of here.
milk it for all its worth
June 28, 2007 - 14:57 ET by vrwc13Well not before we take this thread and milk it for all its worth!
Would one be a bigot if they
June 28, 2007 - 15:07 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveWould one be a bigot if they were lactose intolerant?
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
No War for Dairy!
June 28, 2007 - 14:54 ET by Roger the ShrubberNo War for Dairy!
The Big Udder industry must b
June 28, 2007 - 14:37 ET by mikejThe Big Udder industry must be stopped! Or is it Utter?
Are you speaking out against
June 28, 2007 - 14:40 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveAre you speaking out against udder implants?
'Cause if you are, I'm on board...nobody wants to see those things draggin' on the ground after a few years.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
I'm in Utter disbelief at the
June 28, 2007 - 14:41 ET by Airforce_5_OI'm in Utter disbelief at the prices.
Build The Fence
S.O.D.
June 30, 2007 - 05:19 ET by UnsaneI woke up, can't wait to eat
Got my cereal, boy was I beat
Opened the fridge, and to my dismay,
There was no milk, my mother will pay!!!
I WANT SOME MILK!!! My coffee grows cold!
I WANT SOME MILK!!! I shoulda been told...
I wish I had some g*dd!#m milk, my Cheerios just ain't the same
I wish I had some g*dd!#m milk, too bad the milkman never came
I can't go out to the store
I'll just wait til mommy buys more
I'll just have Wheat Thins and beer
If I get sick, the toilet is near!!!
- S.O.D., "Milk", from Speak English Or Die
MAKE WAY FOR THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS!!! THE 1999, 2003, 2005, AND 2007 NBA CHAMPIONS!!!!