Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Joe Kelsay warns the continuing drought may push some Hoosier dairy farmers to the breaking point.

They were still trying to recover from the depths of the recession in 2009 when the dry and hot conditions hit this summer.

He said some could be reassessing their futures, while others could lose so much the banks may make the decision for them.

With the Indiana State Fair preparing for the “Year of Dairy Cows,” the importance of Indiana’s dairy industry is clear. Kelsay said Indiana ranks 14th in the nation for dairy production and the industry has an estimated economic impact of $450 million.

He pointed out more dairy farms have started in several areas of the state despite the problems of 2009 and this year’s drought.

Kelsay added it will likely be some time before operations would shut down because of the drought, but adds the conditions are testing the mettle of the industry.

Source: Indiana State Department of Agriculture