The 2018 Farm Bill has been extended through 2024, providing much-needed relief to the dairy industry. However, advocates are urging lawmakers to prioritize a new bill as soon as possible to address rising costs faced by farmers.
The extension prevents the dairy industry from reverting back to a 1949 law that sets milk prices relative to the 1910s. This outdated system would have created significant disruptions for dairy farmers.
While the extension is welcome news, inflation and other challenges faced by farmers are not adequately addressed in the 2018 Farm Bill. Farmers are facing higher costs for fuel, fertilizer, machinery, and other inputs.
The New York Farm Bureau is calling for changes to the new Farm Bill, including modernizing the milk marketing order and pricing formula, expanding specialty crop programs, and increasing federal funding to help farms adapt to climate change.
Republican U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro is also advocating for changes to the Farm Bill, including updating production requirements for the Dairy Margin Coverage Program to ensure that all milk is insured.
Lawmakers are expected to begin working on a new Farm Bill in early 2024.
