FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2002

SCHUMER: NORTH COUNTRY'S DAIRY FARMERS WIN REALLY BIG IN FARM BILL

Schumer says Farm Bill will send North Country almost $32.4 million in farming stimulus with $31.6 million going to the region's dairy producers and $801,000 going to area apple growers

Senator releases a county-by-county analysis of how New York's apple and dairy farmers fared in the Farm Bill

Dairy and apple farmers in New York's North Country should get a $32.4 million stimulus package from the recently completed federal Farm Bill, according to a new county-by-county analysis by US Senator Charles E. Schumer. Schumer said that Northeastern agriculture scored a major victory in the Farm Bill and vowed to continue fighting to ensure that New York's farming community holds its place on the map.

"It's not every day that I get to deliver good news to New York's farmers, so today is particularly sweet," Schumer said. "No bill is ever going to solve all of the challenges facing New York farmers but we took a great step forward in the effort to make things a little easier for them. It's safe to say that apple and dairy farmers are all big winners from this Farm Bill, and I'm going to keep working to make them even bigger winners down the road."

Dairy – Using data from the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri, Schumer's analysis found that dairy farmers in the North Country should expect a combined $31.6 million in stimulus payments this year if milk prices fall below $16.94 per cwt as expected. Schumer said the individual New York dairy farmer stands to receive an average payment of $15,200 annually over the approximately three and a half year life of the dairy program. Statewide, the Farm Bill will send about $76 million annually to New York dairy farmers.

According to Schumer, St. Lawrence's 584 dairy farms should get a combined $8.9 million; Lewis' 390 farms should get $5.9 million; Jefferson's 370 farms should get $5.6 million; Herkimer's 278 farms should get $4.2 million; Clinton's 186 farms should get $2.8 million; Essex's 35 farms should get $532,000; Franklin's 237 farms should get $3,602,400; and Warren's 1 farm should get about $15,200.

Apples – The Farm Bill would send about $12,925 in 2002 to the average apple farmer in New York -- for a total of more than $16.6 million statewide -- to help farmers recoup losses suffered as a result of low apple prices in 2000.

Schumer said apple farmers in the North Country should get a combined $801,350 in 2002. St. Lawrence's 20 farms should get $258,500; Clinton's 19 apple farms should get $245,575; Essex's 8 apple farms should get $103,400; Herkimer's 8 apple farms should get $103,400; Lewis' 4 apple farms should get $51,700; and Franklin's 3 farms should get $38,775.

"New York Farm Bureau is extremely appreciative and pleased with Senator Schumer's efforts for New York agriculture as displayed in the Farm Bill agreement," New York Farm Bureau President John Lincoln said. "Mr. Schumer's tireless dedication and commitment to family farms has again resulted in a positive piece of legislation for our rural communities. Due to his hard work and leadership to achieve a national dairy program, increased conservation funding and specialty crop assistance,all of agriculture will soon benefit. We wholeheartedly thank Senator Schumer for his friendship and devotion to the Empire State's farm families."

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