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Farmers Union critical of farm policy and unequal treatment in Arla milk contract termination

Wis. Farmers Union President Darin Von Ruden

The Wisconsin Farmers Union President says Arla Foods decision to drop 11 dairy farms is another example of failed government policy.  Darin Von Ruden says Congress removed the market stabilization feature from the 2014 Farm Bill before it passed at the urging of the International Dairy Foods Association and the Dairy Business Association.  “A lot of producers felt that a supply management mechanism in there was something that they could really support, and then at the last minute, Congress decided to pull it out.”

He would like to see the new Farm Bill include some form of oversupply management.

Von Ruden is also concerned that U.S. farmers might not be full members of the Arla cooperative like their European counterparts.  “Farmers here in Wisconsin probably are not voting members of the cooperative.  They might just be contractual members, so at that point, they don’t have voting rights or stock rights.  It’s a little bit easier to get rid of that kind of member.”

The Arla Foods Hollandtown dairy in Kaukauna, Wisconsin notified 11 dairy farms they would need a new home for their milk July 1st. They’re not alone.  Dean Foods told about 100 farms in eight states they would stop buying their milk by the end of this month.  It was one year ago more than 75 Wisconsin and Minnesota producers were let go from Grassland Dairy in Greenwood, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Farmers Union President Darin Von Ruden talks about the Arla situation with Brownfield’s Larry Lee

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