Media Center

Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry held a hearing to review the economic conditions facing the dairy industry. Representative David Scott of Georgia is Chairman of the Subcommittee.

“This hearing was the first of several in the coming weeks on the economic situation facing the dairy industry, and there will be ample opportunities to hear additional perspectives as we continue this process,” said Chairman Scott. “We were able to develop a timely snap shot of the problems that are facing our domestic dairy industry and some of the solutions available. But it has also raised some very good questions for further consideration. I do think there is consensus however that we must act both in the short term and the long term to provide some relief to our beleaguered dairy industry. So we will continue to examine the economic struggles of this industry and I look forward to our continued discussions with our subcommittee, producers and processors.”

“Our dairy farmers are important and growing contributors to the local economy, and I appreciate Brad Bouma taking time away from his farm and bringing a West Texas perspective to the Subcommittee,” said Ranking Member Randy Neugebauer of Texas. “In these tough economic times, it is important that we hear from our local dairy farmers so that we may better understand the challenges and opportunities currently affecting the dairy industry. I look forward to continuing work with the Subcommittee to address these issues.”

The monthly all-milk price has been steadily declining since the summer of 2007, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects the price will decline later this year to its lowest annual average since 1979. USDA Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services (FFAS) Under Secretary James Miller appeared on the second witness panel to discuss the Department’s market forecast for the short- and long-term as well as policies in place to assist dairy producers.

The Subcommittee also heard testimony from Representatives Joe Courtney of Connecticut and Peter Welch of Vermont testified about the impacts of low dairy prices on producers in their districts. The final witness panel was comprised of producer and processor groups.

The Subcommittee will continue public hearings examining the economic conditions of the dairy industry later this month.

Written testimony provided by the witnesses is available on the Committee website: http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html. A full transcript of the hearing will be posted on the Committee website at a later date.

Witness List:

Panel I

The Honorable Joe Courtney, Member of Congress, 2^nd District of Connecticut

The Honorable Peter Welch, Member of Congress, Vermont at Large

Panel II

The Honorable James Miller, Under Secretary of Agriculture, Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, USDA, Washington, D.C.

Panel III

Mr. Paul Kruse, CEO and President of Blue Bell Creameries, L.P. on behalf of International Dairy Foods Association, Brenham, Texas

Mr. Tom Wakefield, National Milk Producers Federation, Bedford, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Brad Bouma, President, Select Milk Producers, Inc., Plainview, Texas

Mr. Ray Souza, President, Western United Dairyman, Turlock, California

###