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AFBF outlines dairy reform needs

The American Farm Bureau Federation has released milk pricing reform and dairy policy recommendations.

Economist Danny Munch tells Brownfield the organization’s dairy working group is calling for a return to the higher-of formula in calculating Class I milk.  

“Given that this change was so detrimental to the dairy industry for the past few years, they would like the change back to occur as quickly as possible,” he shares.

That change is the only one to milk pricing the group supports happening in a farm bill.  Munch says other marketing order reforms should occur during a formal hearing process

“Where farmers are able to testify and other industry stakeholders are all able to tell their thoughts,” he explains.

Dairy policy recommendations also include increasing Dairy Margin Coverage insurance options and including whole milk in nutrition programs in the next farm bill.

Farm Bureau delegates will vote on the recommendations during their upcoming annual meeting in January.