Vermont lawmakers draft rescue package for dairy farmers

The Senate Appropriations Committee has added an emergency rescue package to help struggling dairy farmers get through a very difficult year so far in 2018. Wholesale milk prices remain below the cost of production for many northeast dairy operations. "Help is on the way," said Sen. Robert Starr, chairman of the Agriculture Committee.The package includes access to low-cost loans of up to $150,000 to help cash-strapped farmers buy fertilizer and feed for the spring.Taxpayers would help buy down loan interest rates at a cost of $250,000.The second component will pay a portion of the federal premium to enroll in the USDA's milk margin protection program.