Milk Prices on the Rise

Consumers may have noticed milk prices increasing slightly over the past weeks. But according to dairy economists, the retail price of milk could rise by as much as 30 cents per gallon by the fall. That's an increase of about 9 percent. The jump could be a result of rising prices in fuel and livestock feed, which have limited the amount of milk produced nationwide.

Economists don't expect the change in price to greatly affect the amount of milk consumers buy. For many parents, trying to provide proper nutrition for their growing youngsters, there aren't many other options.

"It's not a question about ever having enough milk, or to have milk in the refrigerator," said Michelle May, Checkers shopper. "And it doesn't matter what price it's going to go to, we'll always support farmers and support our kids through nutrition."

The last time such an extreme increase in milk prices occurred was in 2004 and purchases declined by less than 4 percent.