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Relief to dairy farmers still unknown

The USDA say dairy farmers will be able to receive a second Market Facilitation Program payment as part of the $16 billion aid package.

Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey says payments will be processed much like the first program.

“We will look at previous dairy production for the dairy production number but we’re not announcing rates yet.”   

Officials say payments will be split over three points in time with the largest portion happening near the end of July/August.

Dairy product purchases will also be made as part of the program’s food purchasing and distribution program.

The head of the National Milk Producers Federation Jim Mulhern says their members appreciate the agency’s concern for dairy producers and wants a large portion of the funds to be used in the first segment to appropriately assist farmers.

NMPF estimates that producers have lost at least $2.3 billion in revenues through March due to higher tariffs against U.S. dairy, which has lowered milk prices for all producers.