Midwest dairy farmers are developing a plan for revitalizing their industry ahead of the next federal farm bill.
The Michigan Farmers Union and Wisconsin-based Dairy Together coalition organized the meeting. Milk producers say their industry has been on the decline for about three years, due in part to a loss of farmers.
Darin Von Ruden is vice-president of the Wisconsin Farmers Union. He says incentivizing farmers to not overproduce could help regulate the market.
That could be in the form of a fee they would pay for any milk they produce above consumer demand. "We're trying to do something for the dairy industry that will stabilize milk prices but won't force farmers out of business or stifle growth," Von Ruden says.
Von Ruden also says he's hoping Congress will factor in the proposed fee system as lawmakers craft the 2023 farm bill.