5 Things for the Weekend: Milk Prices Could Rise to $6 to $8 a Gallon, Snow in the Forecast & More

Editor's note: Five Things You Need To Know Today is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. If you know of something happening in town that did not make our list, please add it in the comment section!

1. Expect a Snowy Weekend in Foxborough

Saturday’s weather in Foxborough, according to the National Weather Service based in Taunton, calls for snow, mainly after noon. Patchy fog after 4 p.m. High near 34. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. Saturday night: Snow, mainly before 3 a.m. Patchy fog before 7 p.m. Low around 23. Northwest wind 7 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Sunday: A chance of snow, mainly before 7 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 32. Northwest wind 10 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 15.

2. Milk Prices Could Skyrocket to $6 to $8 a Gallon

Come Jan. 1, 2013 there is a threat that milk prices could rise to $6 to $8 a gallon if Congress does not pass a new farm bill that amends farm policy dating back to the Truman presidency, reported the New York Times.

If Congress does not renew the Farm Bill by Monday, Dec. 31, the milk price formula reverts back to 1949, reported CBS Boston.

On average, a gallon of milk costs $3.65, according to the dairy industry.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said without a farm bill renewal farmers will be in a hurry to sell to the government, creating a shortage in the stores. It is estimated the price of milk could go as high as $8, he told the Capital Press.

If the farm bill is not renewed the government will be forced to buy milk at inflated prices, driving up the cost for everyone.

As customers demanded milk, markets would look to higher-priced overseas milk producers to make up the shortage, and prices could go up on everything from butter to yogurt to cheese.

Eventually, the government would sell off the milk surplus that it had built up, causing milk prices to plummet.

In the short term, consumers would be devastated and dairy producers would have a payday, after which consumers would get a break while dairy producers watched their profits crash and burn.

“I think there are some serious consequences,” U.S Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, said of the possibility of reverting to decades-old policy to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. “It’s important that we address the agricultural issues that this nation faces.”

Action on the farm bill this year was stalled by disagreements over the food stamp program, from which some conservative members of the House of Representatives wanted deep cuts, reported the Capital Press.

The National Milk Producers Federation and other farm groups had hoped a farm bill would be part of a final "fiscal cliff" budget package passed before Jan. 1, 2013.

However, U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., said in a radio interview Dec. 20 that Congress appears unlikely to pass a farm bill by the end of the year. He suggested American agriculture may have been too successful at keeping prices low, and sharp price hikes may make people understand "what a good deal they got."

3. How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolution

Are you making a resolution this year? Do you want to lose weight, gain a new skill or organize your house? Whatever your resolution is, here are some tips to help you stick to it throughout the year.

1. Make it attainable. Be sure that your resolution is attainable. Sticking to your monthly budget is attainable—making a million dollars may not be.

2. Tell everyone. If you tell everyone about your resolution, you are more likely to keep it. If you want to quit smoking, you can even go as far as telling your friends that you'll give them $50 if they catch you lighting up.

3. Be specific. If you want to get fit in the New Year, set a specific goal. For example, instead of saying you want to get fit, say you want to lose 10 pounds and tone your arms and legs.

4. Start small. Create small goals for yourself. If you want to organize your house, assign one room to each month. In January, organize your kitchen. In February, organize your bedroom. In March, organize your office. In April, you organize your garage, and so on.

5. Write it down. It's important to motivate yourself throughout the year. Write your resolution down on every month in your calendar. Don't let yourself forget about your resolution as the year goes on.

TELL US: What are your New Year's Resolutions? Which ones did you make (and keep) last year? Share in the comments below. 

4. Patriot Place Events:

The following events will be held at Patriot Place this weekend:

• Noon to 2 p.m. (Saturday) – WBZ NewsRadio 1030 at Winter Skate: Kids are invited to join WBZ NewsRadio 1030 at Winter Skate for fun and prizes. Children can record their very own news report at the WBZ Kidcast Mobile Studio.
• 8 p.m. (Saturday) - Ronnie Earl at Showcase Live: He didn’t pick up his first guitar until his 20's, beginning a musical journey that took him to the sides of some of the most respected and talented blues musicians in the world.
• 9:30 p.m. (Saturday) Greg Burroughs at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill: Based out of Nashville, Greg Burroughs brings a fresh and exciting new sound to country music by staying true to its country roots, yet pushing.
• 4:25 p.m. (Sunday) - New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins: The New England Patriots will host the Miami Dolphins in the regular season finale at Gillette Stadium.

5. New Year’s Eve Events Around Foxborough

If you’re planning on staying local to ring in the New Year you will still have plenty of options to celebrate. Patriot Place will be holding six events on Monday, Fusion 5 is hosting a New Year’s Eve party and the Orpheum Theatre is hosting a Comedy Night. For more information, click here.