Dairy experts and government officials are gathered in Carmel, Indiana where last week saw the beginning of hearings on USDA’s Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO). Dairy producers are making their case for changes to the pricing program.
National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Senior Vice President of Membership Services and Strategic Initiatives, Chris Galen, discusses their modernization efforts.
Galen notes there will be time for others not taking part in the hearing to submit their perspective on this.
Following USDA’s initial presentations, the hearing will then launch into discussions of specific issues placed within the scope of the hearing, including; milk composition; surveyed commodity products; Class III and Class IV formula factors; the Base Class I skim milk price; and Class I and Class II price differentials.
After the conclusion, there will be period of time to respond to the testimony, followed by a USDA draft decision, then more discussion, and ultimately a vote among dairy farmers on a final proposal. But that vote is not expected to take place until sometime in the second half of 2024.