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Dairy Farmers Tell Congress More Must be Done

By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Oct 27, 2009 at 4:50 PM CST

Story Updated: Oct 27, 2009 at 4:50 PM CST

WASHINGTON (AP) - Dairy farmers are telling Congress that more help is needed in order to address dire conditions in the industry.

Dairy producers and other industry experts spoke to a subcommittee of the Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday. The hearing, chaired by New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, focused on what the federal government can do to combat low dairy prices.

Industry experts say that Congress' decision last month to set aside $350 million for struggling milk farmers is a good start. But they say other steps need to be taken or more farms will fail.

Wisconsin dairy farmer Paul Toft, who is also the President of Associated Milk Producers Inc., says Congress needs to look at new price stabilization efforts and controls on imports as it looks toward the 2012 Farm Bill.

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