Six Midwestern dairy groups on a task force studying improvements to the Federal Milk Marketing Orders have issued a statement in response to the introduction of the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act. Mitch Schulte, Executive Director of the Iowa State Dairy Association says they support the bill introduced in the Senate, which calls on the agriculture secretary to begin a national hearing process on to look at the issue of the Class I mover. However, it may also address any other issues of concern that USDA sees fit.

He says the bill requires the hearings be held within six months of passage and would allow a comprehensive solution to be explored, including the Class III Plus proposal put forth earlier this year.

Shulte says they also have the ability to address other areas of the system that are urgent, such as increasing price transparency.

The task force has also supported the creation of an academic dairy pricing study that would aid in the discussion.
The task force members are the Dairy Business Association, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Iowa State Dairy Association, Minnesota Milk Producers Association, Nebraska State Dairy Association and South Dakota Dairy Producers.