North Iredell News

North Carolina's dairy farmers are being negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic similar to dairy farmers nationwide, but in Iredell County, not a single farmer is producing milk. 

“These sudden changes, along with other uncertainties, have forced some dairy manufacturers to cut or change production schedules or build inventories,” Iredell County Extension Director Nancy Keith told the Record & Landmark in an April 14 report. “Because of these sudden shifts, dairy farmers in some areas of the country are producing more milk than processors can handle. As a temporary last resort, some co-ops are asking dairy farmers to periodically dispose of milk to adjust supplies to processing capacity.”

Rick Talley, a dairy farm owner, told the Record & Landmark there has been a decrease in demand for dairy products, likely because of closings in the foodservice industry. 

“This happened at the worst time,” Talley told the Record & Landmark. “This is when we make the most product through the spring and into early summer.”

Talley said he isn't dumping milk, but many farmers are dumping all of their products, according to the Record & Landmark. 

He also told the Record & Landmark he has made changes to his farm to protect his employees. Talley isn't allowing visitors and workers must wear gloves and clean their hands with alcohol wipes, according to the Record & Landmark. 

The dairy business may be struggling, but Royal DSM — a nutrition, health and sustainable living company — announced a 10-year partnership with North Carolina State University, which couldn't come at a better time, according to Hoard's Dairyman. The partnership will focus on animal nutrition and health research, Hoard's Dairyman reported. 

“This opportunity to partner with DSM is especially timely as we look at the huge challenges that the world faces in terms of food supply and food security in the years to come,” Paul Lunn, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at NC State, told the Hoard's Dairyman. “How we produce food and how food affects our health is a focus of DSM and both colleges. This is the perfect opportunity to address it together.”

The partnership will provide an opportunity to help the farming industry, but dairies throughout the nation are will still struggle during the pandemic. 

Keith told the Record & Landmark that dairies aren't the only farms affected by the coronavirus. All agriculture has been impacted by the coronavirus, which is leading to changes in the business. 

But since agriculture is essential, farms are still operating, the Record & Landmark reported. 

“We’re going to be struggling,” Talley told the Record & Landmark. “We’re going to be lucky to keep our heads above water.”