"Today the member owners and employees of Dairy Farmers of America delivered nearly 2,000 signatures on a petition urging Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to schedule a floor vote on H.R. 6083, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2012.

"The 2008 authorization bill expires on September 30, 2012, and current domestic dairy programs do not provide farmers with the tools they need to weather extreme volatility in the global market. The bill pending before Congress represents significant compromise and fiscal discipline, and addresses critical needs of the dairy industry.

"Passage of the 2012 Farm Bill is vitally important to America's dairy farmers. The dairy provisions in H.R. 6083 would provide dairy farmers with enhanced risk management tools, keep the industry competitive in the global marketplace, and save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. More importantly, this program will be critical in helping dairy farmers avoid the massive erosion of equity experienced in 2009.

"During the past month, while Congress has been in recess, DFA members have placed hundreds of calls, signed the petition and sent individual letters to their elected leaders urging them to push for floor consideration of this measure as Congress returns to session in September.

"As these elected officials resume their duties in the nation's capital, it is imperative that they heed the urging of their constituents and act swiftly to protect the interests of America's farm families."


John Wilson
Senior Vice President

9.11.2012