NFO focuses on the marketplace, not on the 2007 farm bill

US - Discussions about the 2007 farm bill diverts attention from the real issue -- the market, says Bradley Rach, National NFO dairy director and the featured speaker at Saturday's Minnesota NFO convention.

13 December 2006

1 minute read

North America

"The Farm Bill has just bare-bones programs," Rach said. Minnesota NFO president Bob Arndt agrees. "Our focus is the market," he said. "We work with the other organizations on issues that benefit the farmers but we are focused on the market place."

Group marketing is gaining popularity, Rach said. The NFO is promoting its message at booths at several ag events this winter. Response has been good, said Terry Nelson, Minnesota NFO dairy director.

Rach's message at the convention focused on an NFO-initiated survey in the Sept. 10 Hoard's Dairyman. Producers were asked three questions: Can your dairy survive and prosper in the long run at today's low milk prices? Could corporate processors and retailers pay more for milk and still stay in business?

And should dairy cooperatives be doing more to legally act together in negotiating fair and stable milk prices for dairy farmers? More than 97 percent said they can't survive and prosper with current low milk prices.

Source: Agri News