Perdue: Milk Marketing Order Done by 2018

Taylor Hillman Dairy & Livestock

Milk Marketing Order
A California representative asked the Secretary of Agriculture where the newly released milk marketing order is at in the process of being finalized and when the golden state could see it’s adoption.

The House Agriculture Committee had a hearing titled “State of the Rural Economy with Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.” The hearing’s focus was on rural agriculture, and Secretary Perdue shared his perspective on the economic outlook in rural America along with his vision for the Department of Agriculture.

California Representative Jim Costa serves on the Agriculture Committee and asked Perdue about California-specific issues, including the status of a possible federal milk marketing order. “USDA is moving on this milk order, I’d like to get your thoughts on the current timeline,” Costa asked.

Perdue stressed the need for this order in his response. “You’ve got a very significant dairy industry in California and the marketing order is important for stability, and predictability, in milk prices,” Perdue said. “As I understand it, we just completed the first step in that on May 15 when we released it. I will commit to you that we will complete that marketing order by the end of the year.”

Hear Costa’s full question and answer session with Perdue.