ney, and then you can't afford to make more milk." After a recent dip during the recession, sales of organic milk which can sell for twice as much or more as conventional milk are strong again, http://www.cheaptomsshoesoutletstore.us - cheapest toms shoes . Sales for organic whole milk were up 16 percent from January through November of last year compared with a year earlier, even as sales of conventional milk declined, according to federal agricultural statistics. Molly Keveney, a spokeswoman for Horizon Organic, the No. 1 selling organic milk-brand, estimated a 7 percent growth in organic milk demand in a time of flat supply. Some farmers have switched to less expensive feed, but that reduced production. Griffin, who runs Raindance Organic Farm 55 miles west of Albany, is losing money as costs outrun prices. She sold 15 cows in the fall so she could afford to buy feed for her remaining cows. In Elko, Minn., Tim Zweber of Zweber Farms said his family sold about 20 milking cows since the fall because of the feed costs, leaving them with about 100. Zweber who like Griffin is a member of the Organic Valley cooperative said the price his family receives for its milk versus the high costs of producing it results in margins that are very tight. "If you can't make any money doing it, take the word 'sustainable' out of organic," Zweber said with a laugh. In fact, some struggling farms are switching back to conventional milk or leaving the dairy business entirely. Milk Thistle Farm, a Hudson Valley farm that was a popular vendor at New York City farmers markets, recently announced that it no longer could afford to continue production. Horizon and Organic Valley say they have more dairy farmers making the transition to organic. But Ed Maltby of the Northeast Organic Producers Alliance said not as many farmers are making the switch because of the economics. The farmers' plight illuminates an unusual feature of the U.S. dairy economy: Most farmers do not set their own milk prices. Organic farmers typically enter into contracts with processors, http://www.93120.cn/d75.com.cn1-/home.php?mod=space&uid=93321&do=blog&id=212831 - http://www.93120.cn/d75.com.cn1-/home.php?mod=space&uid=93321&do=blog&id=212831 . This provides stability compared with the month-to-month pricing of conventional milk, but it has caused problems once food and fuel costs took off. Both Organic Valley and Horizon Organic, http://old.noahedu.com/blog/space.php?uid=1645308&do=blog&id=9303521 - http://old.noahedu.com/blog/space.php?uid=1645308&do=blog&id=9303521 , owned by Dean Foods Co., have raised the prices they pay to farmers to account for higher production costs. But many struggling farmers say they need more, http://513.so/bbs/viewthread.php?tid=2613663&extra= - http://513.so/bbs/viewthread.php?tid=2613663&extra= , http://www.cheaptomsshoesoutletstor.com - toms shoes sale . The Northeast Organic Producers Alliance, for instance, is petitioning for a 60 cent a gallon hike. The Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance recently sent a letter to processors seeking an increase that would add 22 cents to a half gallon for consumers That might be a tough sell, http://www.cheaptomsoutlet0.com - toms shoes sale . Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ. An insider's guide to politics and policy, available on the iPad or as a PDF download.
By SARAH SKIDMORE, Associated Press One big name that likely won't be at this year's Oscars: Kodak. The Eastman Kodak Co. received court approval Wednesday to end its sponsorship deal with the Hollywo
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