Policy & Politics

Latest CWT Herd Retirement Round Second Largest Ever

Published Aug. 5, 2009

Cooperatives Working Together has tentatively accepted 294 bids in the third herd retirement it has conducted in the last nine months. The 86,710 cows and 1.8 billion pounds of milk accepted in this round, combined with CWT’s previous two herd retirements, equal a total production capacity...

Dairy Product Price Support Program Update

Published Jul. 31, 2009

The administration announced this morning (July 31st) that it is increasing the amount paid for dairy products through the Dairy Product Price Support Program (DPPSP). USDA estimates show that these increases, which will be in place from August 2009-October 2009, will increase dairy...

Iowa Dairy Farmer Testifies Sector in a Price-Cost Squeeze

Published Jul. 28, 2009

America’s dairy producers find themselves in a “price-cost squeeze” between plummeting milk prices and feed costs that have remained high. Several public and private assistance initiatives are in place, but relief is not yet being fully felt at the farm gate, an Iowa dairy farmer today told a House Agriculture subcommittee. Iowa Farm Bureau President Craig Lang, partner in a dairy with his father, brother and sons, testified on behalf of the American Farm Bureau Federation before the subcommittee on livestock, dairy and poultry during a hearing on the economic challenges facing the dairy...

Peterson Threatens to Oppose Food Safety Bill

Published Jul. 22, 2009

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) says he is worried the Food Safety Enforcement Act would allow the Food and Drug Administration to regulate farm activities and has threatened to oppose the bill, unless his concerns are met.

Johanns: Cap and Trade will Hammer Ag

Published Jul. 22, 2009

In a speech delivered on the Senate floor Monday, Sen. Mike Johanns (D-Neb.) said agriculture will be hammered with increased production costs as a result of cap-and-trade. "Different studies come up with varying numbers, but they all paint the same picture: agriculture loses," Johanns said...