Wisconsin dairy farmers to rake in big profits

MADISON (AP) — Wisconsin dairy experts say some farmers are enjoying a sweet combination of record-high milk prices and record-low feed costs that are creating profits in 2014 that are six times higher than previous good years.

Randy Greenfield, a dairy specialist for a Madison-based livestock feed company, says this year will prove to be the best financially for many dairy farmers. He says some dairy farms that milk the state average of 117 cows will see profits totaling more than $200,000. He says those that milk 500 cows will make $1 million, while 2,500-cow dairy farms will clear $5 million.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports farmers hope this year will allow them to bounce back from 2009, when milk prices collapsed, and prepare for a potentially similar scenario in 2015.