Federal Orders
Federal Dairy Policies Need Fundamental Reform
Federal dairy policy should not distort or disrupt the marketplace. The combination of the multi-billion dollar direct payment program, the Milk Income Loss Contract program (MILC), which encourages overproduction of milk, and the Dairy Product Price Support Program (DPPSP), which buys the resulting surplus, is a classic example of dairy programs working at cross purposes and distorting markets. The two programs have created expensive government outlays and self-perpetuating price slumps that have taken money out of the pockets of taxpayers, processors and even dairy farmers themselves.
Government interference in the dairy marketplace must be minimized. If the dairy industry is to evolve and compete in an increasingly international marketplace, the Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMO), the government's complicated regional milk pricing system, must be streamlined. These Depression-era policies handcuff the industry so that it cannot keep pace with today's more competitive and diverse marketplace.
IDFA encourages Congress to create federal dairy policies that are fair for producers and processors across all regions of the country. The policies also should be fiscally responsible and designed to help the industry grow here and abroad.
IDFA Position Papers on Dairy Policy Reform
Articles
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March 1, 2010
USDA Issues Final Decision on Producer Handlers, Exempt Plants -
January 27, 2010
New Jersey Ponders Premiums; New York Votes on MPCs -
December 4, 2009
IDFA Opposes Bill Designed to End Hauling Costs for Farmers -
October 19, 2009
USDA Decision Levels Playing Field for Processors, Producer-Handlers -
October 12, 2009
"Washington Post" Editorial Calls for Dairy Policy Reform -
August 31, 2009
Dairy Market Update: A Tale of Two Dairy Farming Systems -
July 27, 2009
Risk Management Expert Calls for Pricing Reform at House Dairy Hearing -
July 27, 2009
Federal Court Affirms USDA's Decision to Increase Make Allowances -
July 20, 2009
Milk Prices Discussed on National Public Radio's 'The Diane Rehm Show' -
July 20, 2009
IDFA Urges Adoption of Proposals to Amend Federal Order Regulations -
July 15, 2009
IDFA Chairman Asks Congress for Long-term Dairy Policy Solutions -
June 29, 2009
Market Update: The Real Story on Farm Milk Prices vs. Retail Fluid Milk Prices -
June 23, 2009
Washington Conference Speakers Discuss USDA Priorities, Milk Pricing System -
May 18, 2009
Producer-Handler Exemption No Longer Necessary, Yonkers Testifies -
May 4, 2009
USDA Hearing on Producer-Handler Proposals Starts Today -
April 13, 2009
USDA Announces Hearing to Consider Producer-Handler Proposal -
February 9, 2009
USDA Responds to Producer-Handler Petitions with Action Plan -
February 2, 2009
IDFA and NMPF Call for End to Producer-Handler Exemptions -
January 26, 2009
Dairy Market Update: Wholesale Prices Continue to Drop; Retail Levels Remain High -
January 19, 2009
USDA Set to Increase Class I Pricing in Mideast Marketing Region -
January 5, 2009
USDA Terminates Proceedings on Class I and II Milk Prices -
September 22, 2008
Producer Groups File Appeal to Delay New Make Allowances -
September 22, 2008
New Make Allowances Go Forward; Appeals Court Denies Request to Delay -
August 25, 2008
IDFA Members Oppose Changes to Class I Differentials in Mideast Region -
August 25, 2008
USDA Streamlines Change Process for Federal Orders; May Assess Handlers -
August 25, 2008
Implementation of Make Allowance Updates Delayed by Lawsuit -
August 4, 2008
USDA to Implement New Class III and IV Price Formulas September 1 -
July 30, 2008
IDFA Asks House Budget Committee to Consider Impact of Outdated Milk Pricing System on Rising Costs -
July 28, 2008
USDA Announces Hearing to Consider Class I Adjustments in Mideast States -
July 7, 2008
Tentative Partial Final Decision - What? -
June 23, 2008
Final Rule on Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting Released by USDA -
June 23, 2008
Too Little, Too Late: USDA Issues Tentative Proposed Rule on Make Allowances -
May 19, 2008
Final Farm Bill Includes Some Good, Some Bad -
May 2, 2008
Rising Food Costs Demand More Attention -
May 1, 2008
IDFA Opposes USDA Action Raising Milk Prices in Southeast Region -
May 7, 2007
IDFA Staff, Members Testify at USDA Hearing on Proposed Class I Changes
