Sad news came on Monday when it was announced that Borden Dairy Co., one of America’s oldest and largest dairy companies, on Monday became the second major milk producer to file for bankruptcy in the last two months.

Dean Foods, America’s largest milk producer, filed for bankruptcy November 12.
The Dallas, Texas-based company said it filed for bankruptcy because it cannot afford its debt load and its pension obligations. Borden noted that more than 2,700 family dairy farms went out of business last year, and 94,000 have stopped producing milk since 1992. With the wholesale cost of milk rising due to fewer suppliers and retail milk prices weaker due to lower consumption, the margins for milk processors like Borden have suffered, the company said in its filing.

Borden has deep roots in the Wallkill Valley, dating back to its founder Gail Borden who established the New York Condensed Milk Company with partner Jeremiah Milbank in 1861. Condensed milk grew in popularity with people in urban areas, who often lacked access to safe milk supplies. The business boomed when it won contracts to supply the Union Army during the Civil War. On the heels of his newfound success, Borden continued expanding and opened many new factories, including one on the banks of the Wallkill River in 1881. Members of the Borden family settled in the Shawangunk area and contributed in many ways to the community. John G. Borden established the Borden Home Farm, a working dairy on 1,500 acres that was in close proximity to the railroad and water routes. Nellie Borden, meanwhile helped establish Wallkill’s first library.

Wallkill is also the celebrated birthplace of Elsie the Cow, the iconic logo of the Borden Dairy Co. The hamlet, to this day, clings to that dairy legacy established by the Borden family.

That legacy will be preserved in Wallkill and shared with future generations. And hopefully Elsie and the dairy industry will also survive.