Wisconsin dairy farmer John Pagel has launched a website designed to keep dairy farmers informed about proposed dairy policy reform legislation. The farmer-to-farmer website, www.StopSupplyManagement.com, explains why Pagel opposes supply management and outlines why all dairy producers should oppose efforts to include it as part of the 2012 Farm Bill package of reforms.                   

Supply management is included in Foundation for the Future (FFTF), a package of dairy policy reform proposals from the National Milk Producers Federation, which is the basis for the discussion draft offered by Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee. IDFA is opposed to government-mandated programs to limit milk supply because they would impede industry growth and job creation.    

The website encourages dairy farmers to sign an online petition opposing supply controls and urges them to share their opposition with their elected officials. Pagel owns and operates Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy in Kewaunee, Wis., with a milking herd of more than 4,000 cows.

“While I applaud NMPF for starting the much-needed conversation about dairy policy reform, I am strongly opposed to the supply management portion of the FFTF proposal," Pagel told Dairy Today magazine. "Penalizing farmers for producing too much milk when the milk price declines takes money out of our milk checks when we need it the most.  My website gives farmers, legislators and the public a resource to learn more about this proposed legislation and the harmful impact it could have on our nation’s dairy industry.”

Dairy producers continue to show little unity on this issue. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) has said he will not move dairy policy reform legislation forward without consensus within the dairy industry.

Members with questions may contact Jerry Slominski, IDFA senior vice president for legislative affairs and economic policy, at jslominski@idfa.org.