Casey Applauds Senate Passage of Measure to Help Dairy Farmers

Statement

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today applauded Senate passage of an amendment he cosponsored that will help Pennsylvania's dairy farmers. The legislation provides an additional $350 million for milk price supports to increase government purchases of surplus dairy products.

"This additional funding for milk price supports comes at a critical time for dairy farmers in Pennsylvania," said Senator Casey. "Dairy farmers are receiving the lowest price for their milk since the 1970s. This legislation provides some much needed support for our dairy farmers and the economy in Pennsylvania."

The increase in the Farm Service Agency budget to more than $1.6 billion would allow the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to raise the support price for nonfat dry milk from $.92 per pound to $.97 per pound and allow the USDA to purchase more surplus dairy products.

Reducing supply will result in higher prices for dairy farmers desperate for help as they cope with the lowest prices in nearly four decades. The extra $350 million would provide farmers on average an estimated $1.50 extra per hundredweight, the industry's standard unit of measurement.

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