Dairy industry in a ‘crisis,’ experts say

Shoppers looking for a deal on milk are getting one right now, a gallon of great value milk at Walmart is listed at $1.89 online, but the cheap prices are also causing what some are calling a "crisis" in the dairy industry locally and nationally, according to experts.

Wisconsin has been hit the hardest with 700 dairy farms shutting down last year.

News Center 7 consumer reporter Rachel Murray called around to local dairy farms today and found that Semler Family Farm in Yellow Springs closed last year, a disconnected phone at Hilltop Farms in Xenia and no answer at Ev Mar Farms in West Alexandria. There have been no posts on the Ev Mar Facebook page since 2015.

Swallow Hill Jersey Dairy near Bowersville closed in January, citing lack of money to hire help and pay off a loan for equipment.

Murray will be talking to Young's Jersey Dairy owner Dan Young who said his farm is in a unique position to dodge this crisis, but will offer insight into what's going on with milk and how it could impact supply and prices in the future.

Watch tonight on WHIO-TV at 5 p.m.

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