Dean Foods Axes 27 Hoosier Farms

The nationwide dairy company Dean’s is ending nearly all of its contracts with Hoosier farmers.

As Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Brock Turner reports, shipments from Indiana will end in May.

U.S. Department of Agriculture data shows milk consumption has been declining for decades. But, it still came as a shock to Indiana dairy farmers when Dean Foods decided to end its procurement contracts with 27 of its 28 Hoosier farmers.

Through a press release, Dean’s says the Indiana cuts are part of a national plan—more than 100 farmers lost their contracts in seven other states.

Farmers ship milk from their farms to Dean’s facilities. The company gave all affected farmers a 90-day notice, and the final shipments will take place on May 31.

Doug Leman is the president of Indiana Dairy Producers, and he says the cuts will affect farmers across the state.

Doug Leman BITE 0:14 “over 1,000 cows”

There’s been no discrimination to size here, and no discrimination to location. They were scattered throughout the state, and we’ve got farms that are less than 100 cows to well over 1,000 cows.

In a press release, Dean’s says it will connect affected farmers with counselors.