The danger is that it lead to farmers in our area not really paying much
attention to western competition. (
Rick W.
That isn't what happened. I covered WI agriculture as a young reporter in
the 1970s which was indeed the Golden Age of Dairying in WI. There was
enthusiasm. Farmers were trying new things. Herds were being expanded. Ah,
but then the real growth in milk prices ended in 1979.
The West grew initially because population growth in western states was
booming and milk production increased to match beverage milk demands. CA
wasn't very big into making cheese until the late 80s, specificially when
LOL hired Jack Prince from WI to show them how it was done.
And WI dairying took a huge blow when Tony Earl became head of the DNR, and
the heavy handed closing of cheese factories took place. We lost some of
the finest cheeses known to mans' tastebuds when those small factories
closed. And competition for milk declined as a result.
Dave G.
