10/04/05 MILC expires, livestock reporting goes on

The Milk Income Loss Contract program has expired. That, says Idaho Dairymen's Association executive director Bob Nearebout is the best thing that could have happened. NEAREBOUT "Is just a bad program. I just I can't say that enough, bad policy, bad program, sends all the wrong signals not only to consumers but also to dairy producers." He says the program created more milk which the government then bought. While Idaho dairymen might be pleased that Congress let the program expire at the end of September the National Farmers Union is fighting to bring it back. NFU says it will try to resurrect MILC by getting it attached to some future legislation in Congress. While MILC ends, mandatory livestock reporting will continue. Congress did extended the 1999 reporting act but in two different ways. The Senate legislation extends livestock reporting for one year but the House bill extends the reporting act for five years. Obviously the Senate and House Agriculture Committee chairmen will have to put their heads together and come up with a compromise. The Senate says within the year that the Government Accountability Office will be able to confirm or deny the accuracy of prices reported by USDA. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott