USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to bring the dairy producer community together to discuss FMMO modernization

Illinois Farm Bureau leaders and staff attended the American Farm Bureau Federation’s recent Federal Milk Marketing Order Forum in Kansas City, MO. The first-of-its-kind industry-wide event provided a platform for farmers’ voices to be heard while also answering the call from USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to bring the dairy producer community together to discuss FMMO modernization. Discussions at the forum focused on Class price formulas and de-pooling, among other topics, including a consensus amongst attendees to return the Class I mover to a higher-of formula.

The dairy industry is preparing for a likely USDA hearing in 2023 on pricing in the federal milk marketing orders. Additional conversations will follow in order to bring improvements to price discovery, program clarity, and support to producers. For more information on the outcome of the conference, contact Associate Director of Commodities and Livestock, Tasha Bunting, at tbunting@ilfb.org.