Brad Goodman has been in the family dairy business since he was a child. He has watched the business go through good and bad years. Recently, some of those years have been extremely bad.
"In '09 we pretty much lived off our savings. We lost money every day we came to the barn," said Goodman.
But prices are finally beginning to rise. That's great for dairy producers trying to make a living. However, it's bad for families wanting to keep their grocery bills low. According to the U.S.D.A., the price of milk has spiked nearly 40 percent in the past year.
There are a few reasons for the increase. Part of the rise is due to the weak American dollar. Demand for American milk is also on the rise around the globe.
"Consumption is up. That helps a bunch, and production is down especially the last month of July with the heat wave," said Goodman.
Even though the price of milk is high, the price of feed is high as well. So, producers like Goodman are expected to do well this year, but they aren't likely to make a windfall.
Business owners are feeling the rising prices as well. The cost of the mix used to make Dairy Queen ice cream is up about five percent.
"We've been warned by our supplier that, you know, there might be some more to come especially at the end of the year," said Jerome Moenter, owner of Dairy Queen's in Lima and Shawnee.
At those two locations, the business is eating the extra expense instead of passing it on to customers.
"The economy isn't what it used to be," said Moenter.
The plan is to keep prices low and keep customers coming back for the sweet summer time treat.
