There are many different sources of data on the numbers of dairy farms in the northeast, all with different numbers. All the data sources, however, indicate that New England has and continues to lose dairy farms. Several attachments are included which document the decline in the number of farms. The data presented here for descriptive purposes. The data analyzed in detail in Section 3.
The data on licensed dairy farms in New England are based on information collected by Ken Olson, Ph.D., for the American Farm Bureau Federation. His data indicate that there was a loss of 283 farms between 1995 and 1997, and 277 farms between 1998 and 2000. (Attachments 2e and 2f). According to this raw data set, there is no significant difference in the loss of farms between the years immediately preceding and following the arrival of the price regulation.
Data from the Federal Market Order #1 Administrator between 1977 and 1999 show a similar decline in the number of New England Farms pooled under the Order. (Attachment 2g). (Although note however, that a trend line indicates that, while farm numbers are still declining, there were more farms remaining in New England in 1999 than would be expected given the historical rate of decline.) (Attachment 2h).
Data
from the National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) show the decline in
farmland (for all types of farms) in New England. While the loss continues, the
rate of loss appears to have slowed slightly. In 1999 there is more farmland
that would be expected given the historical rate of decline. (Attachments
2i and 2j).
Pool
data analysis conducted by the Compact Commission for this report also indicates
that the number of pooled farms in New England has declined during the four
years of the price regulation. (Attachment
2k).
During the period, the number of New York farms in the pool has increased
slightly. (Attachment
2l).