Some lawmakers worry that without a new infusion of cash to farmers, Vermont could lose 10 to 15% of its dairy farms this spring.
That’s because the price of milk remains low and expenses have been rising quickly.
The House Agriculture Committee is hoping to recommend nearly $4 million in emergency payments through the spring.
Chairman David Zuckerman says the goal is to guarantee farmers a minimum payment of $15 for every 100 pounds of milk they produce.
He says that still would pay farmers less than it costs to produce the milk.
But the money would provide a cushion heading into the spring, when farmers have to make decisions about planting spring crops or selling cows.