News

National Milk dissappointed with loss of NASS reports

The Board of Directors of the National Milk Producers Federation expressing their disappointment over USDA’s decision to drop the monthly Milk Production, Disposition and Income reports for April through the end of the fiscal year in September. The suspension is the result of the sequestration-reduced funding. National Milk president and CEO Jerry Kozak said the reports are a key component in decisions over milk marketing from the farm gate to commercial disappearance. Kozak says they “need to have further discussions with USDA about why an extremely important informational tool involving a major commodity is being affected this way.”

The board also has reaffirmed its support for a new farm bill which includes the Dairy Security Act. National Milk Chair, Randy Mooney said the existing federal dairy programs do not offer the type of safety net producers need. The Missouri dairyman says they were encouraged by a report delivered to them Monday from Congressman Collin Peterson, ranking member on the House Agriculture Committee who reaffirmed his support for the DSA and indicated the committee would begin work on a farm bill this spring.

The Senate Agriculture Committee is expected to begin work on their version of a farm bill next month.