The checks will be mailed to as many as 1,100 farmers by the end of March. The amount they get will be based on how much milk they produced in January and February. The goal is to give farmers — who have been strapped by weather disasters, high fuel and feed costs and low milk prices — some cash assistance in coming weeks as they make decisions whether to plant their crops this spring or go out of business.

"The vitality of the dairy industry is integral to the vitality of the state and I'm pleased to sign this responsible legislation into law," Douglas said in a statement. "The compromise we reached illustrates the value of evaluating each proposal through the prism of affordability."

Douglas initially opposed assistance and the objected because the House was looking at raising a property sales tax to pay for it. Ultimately, the administration and Legislature found money elsewhere in state government to be spent on farmers.

Source: Times Argus