The Vermont Senate Agriculture Committee heard testimony Monday about a proposal to merge one of Vermont's oldest dairy cooperatives with the national Dairy Farmers of America.
Proponents of the proposal say the move would provide the co-op needed cash and a better way to market their milk-products.
But people wary of the proposal that would merge Vermont's 100-year-old St. Albans Cooperative with DFA say the managers of the larger co-op don't always have the best interest of farmers in mind.
If the merger is approved, the assets of the St. Albans Co-op, including a milk hauling company and creamery plant would become fully-owned by DFA, based in Kansas.
The vote is expected later this summer. It comes after two years of planning and prolonged low milk prices paid to farmers.
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