Governor Paterson is rounding up support for New York dairy farmers.

Paterson says dairy farmers are struggling to cope with a drop in prices and the current recession.

New York Senator Kirstin Gillibrand has proposed legislation that would provide additional assistance.

It would come from the 'Milk Income Loss Contract' program, or MILC.

It compensates domestic dairy producers when domestic milk prices fall below a certain price.

Currently it gives farmers 45% of the difference between the specified price, and current price.

The proposed legislation would temporarily boost the compensation to 90%.

New York is the nation's third largest dairy state, generating 2.4 billion dollars annually.