WUD sponsors bill to address whey value

Source: Western United Dairymen

Western United Dairymen is sponsoring a bill that will be introduced early next week in the California Legislature that would more closely align the whey value in the California 4b formula with the regulated minimum price for whey found in surrounding states.

The legislation follows up on the WUD board’s action in October directing staff to develop language addressing the whey value issue and securing bipartisan support to successfully advance the bill in the California legislature.

“Too many of our dairy families have fallen victim to a milk pricing formula that has failed to capture the true value of the milk and its components for pro-ducers in the face of extraordinary feed costs,” WUD President Tom Barcellos said. “We have repeatedly petitioned the CDFA for relief to little avail. California dairy families are very concerned about their future and have been voicing those concerns. We’re all agreed on the need for action as soon as possible. Without dairy producers in business, California has little need for dairy processors.”

“Initial reception to the proposed bill in the legislature has been very positive,” notes Michael Marsh, CEO. “Hopefully, our groundwork and the highly regarded reputation Western United has built over the years in the Capitol will help us expedite passage and quickly attain a positive remedy to our 4b pricing dilemma.”