New bipartisan legislation aims to establish a Dairy Pricing Commission to recommend solutions to issues facing family farmers.
The commission would consist of dairy farmers, processors and other industry experts. Recommendations will focus on many of the current pricing issues facing Wisconsin’s dairy farmers along with better supply chain coordination and identifying additional export opportunities.
Authors U.S. Reps. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, and Mike Gallagher, R-Allouez, said action was needed to identify and implement reform to ensure dairy farmers have the tools to thrive. For the past several years, Wisconsin family farmers have faced historic challenges, they said.
“Our family farmers are the heart of our rural communities, and we need to work to ensure the future of Wisconsin dairy remains bright,” Kind said.
Gallagher added dairy farms are central to Wisconsin’s identity.
“We need to help these farmers get back on their feet, and that starts with bringing together experts across the agricultural, academic, and dairy industries to better inform Congress on policies that will change the status quo,” he said.
Both Wisconsin Farmers Union President Darin Von Ruden and Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Kevin Krentz praised the legislation. See Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s response: https://www.midwestfarmreport.com/2021/07/01/getting-answers-for-dairy-producers/
