Farmers Union Wants Assistance for Dairy Producers

U.S. dairy farmers are continuing to struggle because of a multi-year run of low prices and an inadequate safety net. As a result, the National Farmers Union passed a resolution calling on Congress to provide immediate cash assistance to dairy farmers. The resolution wants Congress to give the U.S. Department of Agriculture authority to provide direct help to those farmers and provide premium refunds for the Margin Protection Program. “U.S. dairy farmers are experiencing an extended period of very low milk prices, which, if it’s not corrected, will force thousands of farmers out of business,” said Roger Johnson, NFU President. The organization is calling on Congress to advance spending legislation that includes help for farmers. The legislation should include more authority for USDA to supply direct assistance instead of purchasing commodities. USDA had provided some assistance for producers by purchasing surplus cheese, but the modest price rebounds haven’t been enough to sustain producers bottom lines, forcing many to go out of business.