07/26/06 Modifying milk marketing order

Federal milk marketing orders need some tweaking. That's what USDA is saying. The marketing orders have been around since the Great Depression but over time they've become important to marketing milk. USDA has asked for proposals on the entire federal order Class III and Class IV price formula. For example, what defines Class III milk which is used to make cheese versus Class IV that makes up butter and milk powder? USDA held a hearing on the subject last January and based on insufficient evidence will hold an emergency hearing in September. USDA's Lloyd Day says prior to the hearing data collected and assessed by Cornell University will be released. DAY "We're going to make that data public so that all participants again have the opportunity to view it and then we can move toward that interim decision." USDA deputy economist Joseph Glauber says US dairy exports have been setting records for the past couple of years and the future looks just as bright. GLAUBER "Global demand for dairy products remains firm. The US dollar remains favorable to exports and US non-fat dry milk prices are expected to remain competitive without export subsidies." At the same time, dairy imports into the US, mostly through milk protein concentrates, are also running higher but the MPC import levels are no where near as high as they were earlier this decade. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott