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Wisconsin farmer says farm bill needs to update dairy program

An eastern Wisconsin dairy farmer says the industry desperately needs an updated farm bill.

Raymond Dietrich, whose 550-cow herd is located in Brown County, says milk prices established in 2018 programs are no longer relevant.

“We’re living with $17 milk, and that’s just not acceptable.”  He says, “We have this government program that pays us over $9.50. If we don’t have over $9.50, they pay us the difference, and that’s how far off it is.”

He tells Brownfield the rising costs of labor, fuel, and inputs mean profitability is hard to come by even with today’s higher milk prices.

“These government programs that are supposed to help you out when things are tough, they don’t even come close anymore.”  He says, “They have to be revisited. And then, of course, the farm bill is still not out there. What’s the holdup? I think it’s just the government’s inability to get something done.”

Dietrich says the farm bill could be a vehicle to update the Dairy Margin Coverage program, but he’s not optimistic at this point.

“I think they’ve been dragging their feet so long that they forgot what’s in it,” he says.

The U.S. Senate Ag Committee is expected to resume farm bill discussions when it returns to session next week.

AUDIO: Raymond Dietrich – Wisconsin farmer