A devastating collapse in milk prices is prompting dairymen to push for a massive overhaul of U.S. dairy policy.
More than 200 dairymen and representatives of allied industries in Idaho and neighboring states met Wednesday at the Canyon Crest Dining and Event Center in Twin Falls for the Idaho Dairymen’s Association summer meeting to hear about the ambitious plan.
Being labeled the “Foundation for the Future,” the proposed overhaul has the backing of many dairy cooperatives across the U.S.
Some of the changes include shutting down the Dairy Product Price Support Program and the Milk Income Loss Contract, or MILC, in the next Farm Bill. Both programs have funneled billions of dollars into the coffers of struggling dairies, but the federation argues that it has been largely ineffective.
MILC makes payments to dairymen when prices fall, but benefits are capped after the first 3 million gallons of milk produced, the annual output of perhaps 200 cows.
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