National Farmers Works Every Day To Earn You More

By Brad Rach

As you know, our marketing group works hard every day to find the best markets for your milk. We never forget that those markets determine how well you do financially.

There is another part of making sure you are treated fairly that only happens every few years—Federal Milk Marketing Order hearings. Those hearings determine the rules for pricing milk in virtually all our markets.

We are in the middle of one of those hearings now. It’s a long, drawn-out process. Sometime late next year, the USDA will propose a new set of rules governing the Federal Milk Marketing Order system. Then dairy farmers will vote the proposal up or down.

I’m giving you a heads-up now because your bottom line will be affected for years to come by the new rules. All dairy farmers that market milk through the Order system have that in common.

But not all dairy farmers have the advantage that you have as a member of National Farmers.
Most Co-ops use what is called bloc voting to submit votes on behalf of their member producers. We don’t do that at National Farmers. We think that each of our members knows what is best for their farm and their livelihood.

Each of our members will therefore have the chance to vote as individuals on whether to accept whatever the USDA comes up with.

Even though you will be voting on your own, you won’t be alone when it comes time to vote. Our staff and leadership will make sure you have the information you will need to make the best decision for your farm and your family. Stay tuned.