As the year comes to a close, many producers are looking forward to the New Year, as 2009 will long be remembered for a variety of reasons.

For many corn producers, 2009 was a year for exceptional yields, the likes of which might not be duplicated for years. This was partly because of a favorable growing season, but harvest did not begin essentially until November, as the crop dried down slow.

Dairy producers will remember 2009 as the worst of their careers, as milk prices plummeted 40 percent. Livestock and hog operations shared in the dairyman's plight.

Dairy producers have demonstrated tremendous resilience to the lagging economy while trying to keep their operations afloat with cash flow. Surprisingly, none has yet sold out. In fact, cash flow either came from borrowed capital or owner equity.

Nationwide, the Farm Service Agency provided $4.5 billion in loans to more than 33,000 farmers all over the country. That was the highest level of borrowing since 1984.

When milk prices recover, which already has started, it could take years for some producers to dig their way out of 2009.

Recently, the FSA issued $260,000 to 79 dairy producers in the three-county service area as part of the $290 million Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Program. Pennsylvania's share was $22 million, of which most will be spent immediately to pay bills. Those figures were confirmed by many of the 79 producers I spoke with last week.

On a sad note, 2009 will be remembered by some as the year there was yet another farmer fatality (a dairyman from Beaver County). It seems during the last several years, sadly, that has been the case. We all need to remember how dangerous an occupation farming can be.

Hopefully, 2010 will be the year to break that streak. These are just a few examples that make 2009 memorable. Happy New Year!

Luke Fritz is executive director of the Butler County Farm Service Agency.