Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House that would support organic dairy farmers. The Organic Dairy Data Collection Act would enhance data collection at USDA to better understand the costs associated with producing organic milk.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME), a longtime organic farmer and House Ag Committee member, and Marc Molinaro (R-NY) sponsor the bill.
“International trade challenges, adverse weather, and skyrocketing organic feed costs have created a dire economic situation for organic dairy farmers across the U.S.,” Pingree says. “These unique challenges require tailored solutions.”
The bipartisan bill will help USDA better understand and address the challenges organic dairy farmers face. The bill directs USDA to collect and publish cost-of-production data for organic milk. It directs NASS to gather and report monthly data about the amounts that organic dairy farmers are being paid for organic milk. It also orders USDA, NASS, and the Economic Research Service to publish reports on the cost of production data by state and region.