N.M. dairies to share nearly $3 million

The Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE — The Farm Service Agency says it will issue nearly $3 million in payments to dairy farmers in New Mexico.

The payments will be made through the Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Program.

Eligible producers will receive a one-time direct payment based on the amount of milk both produced and commercially marketed by their operation during the months of February through July 2009.

The agency says production information from these months was used to estimate a full year’s production for an operation to calculate the payments. Most dairies in New Mexico will receive an average payment of more than $19,000.

The agency started issuing payments to farmers this week.

FSA official Salomon Ramirez says the payments will provide for much needed capital as dairies continue to make ends meet.