Industry analysts say that unless there is a change in the market, 16 percent of the country's dairy cows could be slaughtered by the end of the year as farmers look to cut costs, according to the Associated Press.
"This could destroy our dairy infrastructure," Mike Marsh, CEO of the United Western Dairymen trade association told the news provider.
It appears that some farmers may be trying to avoid costs associated with the slaughter and rendering of these dairy cows as dozens of the animals have been discovered illegally dumped into a canal and on back roads last month in San Joaquin County, California.
Last week a group of senators sent a letter to agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack urging him to do something about the "crisis" of falling dairy prices. Later in the week Vilsack pledged his support to the country's dairy farmers and said the U.S. Department of Agriculture would provide additional credit to struggling famers.
