12/29/08 USDA vs NMPF

A local morning radio show used to have a segment they called, "What were they thinking?" One has to wonder the same when regarding the USDA's attempt to sell nonfat dry milk at prices below levels specified in the 2008 Farm Bill; prompting the National Milk Producers Federation to seek a temporary restraining order to block USDA from allowing The Seam, a private marketing entity, to auction nonfat dry milk at prices below the Congressional mandated minimum level. Dairy farmers who are already facing rising production costs would be facing a major reduction to their already dwindling income if the auction was allowed to go on unchecked. A Chicago district judge agreed with the NMPF and requested that the USDA at least postpone the auction. The USDA and The Seam have entered into a court-ordered agreement to not hold any milk powder auctions until NMPF's full complaint and motion can be heard in January 2009. One can only hope that the courts will continue to give America's Dairy Farmers the support they so rightly deserve.