AFBF delegates set policy on milk pricing, farm bill By Christine Souza
Matthew Viohl, associate director of fed- eral policy at the California Farm Bureau, said delegates voted to bring more trans- parency to the federal milk pricing sys- tem. He said most of the dairy resolutions focused on fairer pricing for producers, which should be beneficial to California. “The COVID-19 pandemic highlight- ed some of the core inefficiencies in the existing Federal Milk Marketing Order structure, oftentimes resulting in produc- ers either missing out on increased retail prices or losing out more significantly when prices dropped,” he said. “While these resolutions are only intended to direct AFBF staff, it should give them a better gauge by which to formulate policy aimed at addressing these challenges.” A conversation with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and results of an FMMO forum hosted by AFBF in October in Kansas City, Mo., served as motivation for policy changes, Viohl said. California milk pricing transitioned to the federal structure on Nov. 1, 2018, after the state order ended and California milk producers, through their dairy cooperatives, approved join- ing the federal order after petitioning USDA. Farm Bureau anticipates USDA will conduct a hearing in 2023 to ad- dress FMMO price formulas and other aspects of the program. Other dairy policy changes include support for more USDA audits of process- ing costs to ensure data remain accurate, and a Federal Milk Marketing Order vot- ing procedure that requires cooperatives to communicate more clearly with mem- bers regarding proposed changes. In addition, Viohl said, the definition of milk continues to be of interest to many dairy-producing states. “The rising prominence of nut-based and other nondairy milks has given consternation to some states that worry about how the USDA and other agencies might utilize these in school and other nutrition programs,” Viohl said. “This is a challenging issue in California as well, given that we are the top-producing dairy state—and also the leading producer of many nuts now utilized for milks.” AFBF delegates voted to endorse mod- ernizing the farm bill by expanding base- line funding, developing more flexible disaster relief programs and extending protection to more specialty crops. AFBF Vice President of Public Policy Sam Kieffer said delegates held conver- sations on national farm policy, “in- cluding being open to expanding the baseline for federal farm bill programs, as well as sending a clear message that we need to be developing more flexi- ble risk management and disaster relief programs, and expanding protection to growers of specialty crops all across the country.” California specialty crop growers are seeking inclusion in more federal pro- grams and support. “Everybody wants to get their foot in the door,” Mitchell said. “The members in the South control the See DELEGATES, Page 16
topics ranged from improving dairy pricing transparency, expanding risk management and battling hunger. “There’s a lot of work to do in 2023 as Congress drafts the next farm bill, and the policies set forth will guide AFBF as we work to ensure farmers and ranch- ers can continue to meet the grow- ing needs of families in America and around the world,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall.
California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson, a Butte County olive and citrus grower, and First Vice President Shannon Douglass, a Glenn County farmer and rancher, served as delegates represent- ing California. They were joined by alter- nate delegates—California Farm Bureau Second Vice President Shaun Crook, a Tuolumne County timber operator, and Ken Mitchell, a turkey and walnut farmer in Sacramento County.
Farmer and rancher delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 104th Annual Convention, held Jan. 6-11 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, adopted policies to guide the organization’s work during 2023. Policies were discussed and ap- proved by the organization’s House of Delegates, including representatives from all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Key
SAVE THE DATE!
Featuring Commodity Advisory Committee Meetings & Legislative Day Join us in standing up for California’s farmers and ranchers. MARCH 27–29, 2023
Hilton Sacramento Arden West
Join the grassroots process with California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson and special guest speakers.
Premier Partner Thank you to
10 Ag Alert January 18, 2023
Powered by FlippingBook