WISCONSIN FARMERS UNION
For immediate release: June 21, 2010
For More Information Contact: Scott Schultz 715-723-5561 (office) or 715-533-5906 (cell)
sschultz@wisconsinfarmersunion.com

Farmers’ voices to be heard at dairy meetings
Chippewa Falls, Wis. (June 21, 2010) – Dairy farmers’ reactions to this week’s industry consolidation hearing in Madison will be among topics discussed during two dairy meetings hosted by Wisconsin Farmers Union.

Wisconsin Farmers Union President Darin Von Ruden will be among panelists during the June 25 U.S. Department of Justice/U.S. Department of Agriculture ag industry consolidation and monopoly hearing in Madison. He and WFU staff will then continue the discussion with dairy farmers at 1 p.m. June 29 at NelDell Farms, W14297 Broadway Road, Wisconsin Dells, and at 1 p.m. June 30 at the Loyal American Legion Hall, 302 N. Union St., Loyal. The meetings are open to all dairy farmers.

Also during the Wisconsin Dells and Loyal meetings, Rob Vandenhuevel of the California Milk Producers Council will discuss the proposed Dairy Price Stabilization Program.

“We want to hear directly from dairy farmers what they’re thinking, so we can take farmers’ ideas to Congress, the USDA and DOJ,” said WFU President Darin Von Ruden. “These are white-hot issues, and we see the need for an organization to deliver those messages.”

The Dairy Price Stabilization Program has been proposed in the U.S House of Representatives by Reps. Peter Welch, D-Vermont; Jim Costa, D-Calif.; Joe Courtney, D-Conn.; and Rick Larson, D-Wash. Under the proposal, dairy farmers producing more milk than their farms’ bases (established using the previous three years’ production) would pay a fee that would be paid to farmers who produced at or below their bases.

“It’s more obvious than ever that depending upon the current pricing system – established by a handful of companies and only a few sales – isn’t getting the job done for dairy farmers,” Von Ruden said. “The DPSP is one of many proposals floating out there, and we think it’s important for farmers to get good information about it.”

.

# # #

Wisconsin Farmers Union, a member-driven organization, is committed to enhancing the quality of life for family farmers, rural communities and all citizens through educational opportunities, cooperative endeavors and civic engagement.