Op Ed: Protect Dairies in New Farm Bill

Farm Journal logo

Editor:

As a dairy farmer in Pennsylvania for the past 30 years, I've lived through the ups and downs of this extremely volatile industry. In the past decade, dairy farmers have experienced the highs of 2008 and 2010 and the extreme lows of 2003, 2006 and 2009, which was the worst year in the lifetime of most dairy farmers, because the price we received for milk plummeted while production costs reached all-time high levels.

The low times have been especially challenging, since it typically takes three good years to recover from one down year.

Each year, June is recognized as National Dairy Month and is celebrated here in Pennsylvania. Throughout the month, you will likely hear about how dairy farmers contribute significantly to the state's economy and how they support thousands of jobs and rural communities - all of this information is true.

It's equally important to note that regardless of the economic picture on the farm, the top priority of dairy farmers is to produce high-quality, safe milk for consumers. We take the trust you put in us very seriously.

As vice president of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and chairman of PFB's state Dairy Committee, I am involved in many meetings and discussions about the future of dairy farming, including proposals to reduce volatility and create a better future for dairy producers. I firmly believe that the U.S. needs to be a global dairy supplier, not a balancing nation.

We can't afford to keep making products for our own government to purchase and then store products that no one wants. We also need to make sure that dairymen have equal access to reliable and workable safety-net programs, like a margin protection program or a risk-management insurance product.

As lawmakers consider the next Farm Bill, I encourage milk producers to work together to identify positive changes to dairy policy. A perfect solution may be difficult to attain, but if we work together we can achieve a legislative outcome that will improve the long-term outlook for milk producers.

Pennsylvania ranks fifth in the nation in milk production thanks to more than 7,000 farm families. We appreciate the support we receive from Pennsylvanians who purchase our products and look forward to continuing to providing consumers with a wide variety of high-quality and good-tasting items in the future.

RICHARD EBERTVICE, PRESIDENT

PENNSYLVANIA FARM BUREAU, WESTMORELAND COUNTY

 

Latest News

APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies
APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies

The livestock industry continues to grapple with the first confirmed cases of HPAI in cattle, while federal and state agencies continue to assure consumers there's no concern about the safety of the U.S. milk supply.

Success is All in the Details at Kansas Dairy Development
Success is All in the Details at Kansas Dairy Development

Kansas Dairy Development provides temporary housing for up to 80,000 head of cattle — from a few days old to springers nearly ready to calve. Their formula for success is all in the details.

Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps
Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps

U.S. employers report challenges in finding suitable job candidates with work-ready skills to fill open roles in ag. The AgCareers.com U.S. Skills Survey offers insights, data and trends to address skill development.

Built Out of Love: How Two Sisters Created a Super-Fast-Growing Yogurt Company
Built Out of Love: How Two Sisters Created a Super-Fast-Growing Yogurt Company

Travel to the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, and you’ll meet Hayley and Stephanie Painter who not only made the Forbes 30 under 30 list, but have also created one of the fastest growing yogurt company in the U.S.

"Boring" Technology Will Reshape Dairy Over the Next 10 Years
"Boring" Technology Will Reshape Dairy Over the Next 10 Years

Once a technology becomes a boring experience it means it has become proven, well-adopted, and easy to utilize. There are three "boring" technologies silently shaping the industry.

Influential Dairy Leaders Awarded World Dairy Expo Recognition Awards
Influential Dairy Leaders Awarded World Dairy Expo Recognition Awards

World Dairy Expo is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2024 Expo Recognition Awards. These individuals have made remarkable contributions to the dairy industry and their communities.