WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSAU) — A Wisconsin Congressman is introducing legislation designed to help struggling dairy producers. 3rd District Representative Ron Kind says his Dairy Action Plan would help farmers who are now struggling with a tough milk market, as well as help the next generation of farmers get started. “Prices could be better for them. They’re at a two-year low right now, the profit margin is pretty low, debt-to-income ratio is climbing, fixed income costs is climbing.”
Kind says the bill he is putting forward policies that will help dairy farmers stay in business and earn a good living. It also includes enhancing the Beginning Farmer program that Kind successfully got into the last Farm Bill. With the average age of a dairy farmer at 60, Kind says we need to make it easier for the next generation of farmers to get their start.
Another part of Kind’s proposal has to do with breaking barriers to foreign trade. “We need to be in those markets that are rapidly expanding, competing. One way to do it is to negotiate fair trade agreements that reduce tariff barriers to make it easier for our dairy farmers to move their products, especially the excess supply that’s built up in the United States right now, especially for cheese.”
Kind’s Dairy Action Plan also includes making programs for dairy farmers more effective and efficient, expansion of ag research, and comprehensive immigration reform, which Kind says is key to having enough help working the farms. Details of the proposal are available online, here.
(Listen to our interview with Congressman Ron Kind on our website, here.)
