The Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) has withdrawn from the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA). It follows IDFA’s request to amend the USDA’s Federal Milk Marketing Order programme.
DFA has declined interview requests but has issued a statement saying, “While IDFA generally maintains a neutral position on policies lacking full membership consensus, a critical exception was made earlier this year when they submitted a divisive milk pricing policy proposal to USDA.”
“This placed DFA in the untenable position of being represented as supporting a policy position that contradicts what we believe to be in the best interests of our farmer-owners and the dairy industry,” the statement reads.
This month, the American Farm Bureau Federation also suggested many changes to Federal Milk Marketing Orders to USDA. According to AFBF Economist Danny Munch, the ideas include raising pricing.
“The initial element of our proposal was a revision of what was in the NMPF petition. So, in theory, we endorse the majority of the suggestions in that petition, including returning to the higher of class one mover, raising class one differentials, and increasing the component value utilised in milk price,” Munch added. “In addition, we had eight other proposals based on our current policy.” Some of the most important ones include extending the goods questioned in the National Dairy goods Report Survey, eliminating advanced pricing for class one and class two milk, and introducing consistent check requirements to promote farmer openness.”
Meanwhile, World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski reports that the USDA’s most recent projections for milk classes and all-milk prices are mixed for 2023, but lower for 2024.
