The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will hold a public hearing beginning Wednesday, August 23, 2023, to consider proposals seeking to amend the uniform pricing formulas applicable in all 11 Federal milk marketing orders (FMMOs). The hearing will begin at 9:00 a.m. ET at the 502 East Event Centre, 502 East Carmel Drive, Carmel, Indiana, 46032.
Proponents contend that the uniform FMMO pricing formulas should be amended, as significant changes in the dairy industry and milk marketing have occurred since their adoption in the early 2000s. Forty proposals were submitted by stakeholders for consideration. Of those, 21 directly impact the uniform pricing formulas and will be considered at the hearing. The proposals contained in the hearing notice seek to amend the milk composition factors, commodity product prices, Class III and Class IV formula factors, base Class I skim milk, and Class I and Class II differentials.
The hearing notice was published in the Federal Register on July 24, 2023. Copies of the notice, guidelines for how to participate, the hearing schedule, and the corresponding hearing record will be made available on the Hearing Website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/moa/dairy/hearings/national-fmmo-pricing-hearing. Copies also may be obtained from USDA/AMS/Dairy Program; STOP 0225 - Rm. 2530; 1400 Independence Avenue S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-0225.
Those interested in participating in the hearing should notify a USDA official upon arrival at the hearing. For additional information, contact Erin Taylor, Director, Order Formulation and Enforcement Division, USDA/AMS/Dairy Program, Stop 0225-Room 2530-S, 1400 Independence Avenue S.W., Washington, DC 20250-0231; (202) 720-7311; e-mail address: Erin.Taylor@usda.gov.
Persons requiring a sign language interpreter or other special accommodations should contact Jason Nierman, Market Administrator, before the hearing begins, at (502) 499-0040 ext. 2222 or email address nierman@malouisville.com.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender