Farmers Ask for Stability in Milk Prices

The American Farm Bureau and National Farmers Union sent a letter to USDA asking for stability in Class 1 milk prices.

The letter asks Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to issue an interim final decision to return the Class 1 mover formula to the “higher-of” the Class 3 or Class 4 calculations as it was before the 2018 farm bill.

The letter states,” Dairy farmers remain stuck with the current pricing regulations until USDA publishes a final rule. Current market dynamics underscore the need for an expedited return to the ‘higher-of’ Class 1 mover.”

Industry leaders think the current Class 1 mover was a well-intentioned but misguided policy that has reduced dairy farmer income.