“Are there any farmers here tonight?”

That was the question overheard at our recent annual DHIA (Dairy Herd Improvement Assoc.) banquet. While the names were being called and the hardware handed out, it was apparent there were not as many dairymen in attendance as in past years. But why?

The answer may be found in an article I read last year about the reaction of dairy farm families when milk prices drop and times get tough. It was observed in those times that there are those who dig in and go harder, but there are also those who draw up in their shell and maintain an isolated lifestyle.

Families begin to keep to themselves, they stop going out socially, they don’t attend church as often, they don’t attend 4-H meetings or youth groups and basically stay at home so they don’t have to put on a happy face for the rest of the world.

I scanned the room, looking for dairy farmers, and found mostly industry representatives: feed companies, bull studs, equipment dealers and even non-ag-related business folks filled the tables at this banquet. It appeared everyone was there but the honorees.
While I understand the lack of participation from dairymen and it was sad to see so few show up, there is good news in this story. The good news is that even though the dairymen were absent, the room was full – full of good folks who support our industry. Good folks who came to celebrate our accomplishments and pat us on the back, and businesses that said with their financial support of the event, We believe in you and we are here to help.

In the next couple of months, our calendars are littered with meetings, conferences and events to attend. These ag gatherings are supported not only by the price of admission but the vendors with whom we do business: the venders who are patient when we can’t always pay the whole bill, vendors who haven’t turned their backs on us, but have come alongside of us and asked how they can help.

Of course, they want our business, but they also want a relationship with us – and without us, they wouldn’t survive either.

While I would like to send a personal “thank you” to each one of you, I would like to say my thanks in this column to all the businesses that donate door prizes, sponsor awards and support our industry. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

But most of all, thank you for your friendship. In a time when our farms are being turned upside down, your friendship is invaluable.

Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.