I'm aware that this is old news to you folks in the Panhandle, but I thought you might like to see this (mostly) complimentary article in the Houston Chronicle about the dairy boom.

I rather like the idea of the Panhandle being invaded by Californians. It might broaden everyone's horizons a little.

LINK

quote:

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Hilmar Cheese, named for the central-California town, eventually plans to make a half-million pounds a day of cheddar, Colby, pepper jack and Monterey jack. Texas currently doesn't produce enough cheese to be listed by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, but Hilmar by itself would cause it to rank 10th at full production.

"Our decision to expand our operations to Dalhart was based on several key factors, including Texas' positive business climate, reliable regulatory environment and an up-and-coming local dairy industry in Dalhart and the greater Amarillo area," said John Jeter, chief executive and president of Hilmar Cheese.

Taxpayers chipped in, too. In competition with Idaho, the Texas Enterprise Fund ponied up $7.5 million, and the plant secured millions more in grants, tax breaks and tax abatements from local and regional governments.

The plant will employ about 120, eventually ramping up to 300 as more dairies justify more production capacity. Avila said dairies hire approximately one person per 100 head of cattle, meaning more than 1,000 milkers would be needed for the Dalhart-Dumas area if all current and permitted projects stock their allotted number of Jerseys or Holsteins.

Add in dairy industry service companies and other support businesses, and locals believe the sky's the limit at the top of Texas.

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[This message has been edited by BrazosBendHorn (edited 5/30/2007 8:47a).]

It was a really good article. I just wonder where all the labor force will come from in Dalhart. Last time I was up there 6 years ago, it was a dying little town.

I am sure it has changed with the influx of the pig farms and now dairy farms coming in.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Californians moving in are more conservative than the Texans after years of putting up with the leftists.

My mother in law just got a job at the Dalhart plant. I drove by the facility last time I was up there playing golf and things look to be coming along nicely. I heard a few locals are setting up dairies to sell to people moving in.