Van Orden Fights for Dairy Farmers in 2024 Farm Bill, Continues Efforts for Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) bolstered the American dairy industry in the House Committee on Agriculture’s Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, commonly known as the ‘Farm Bill’. Representing one of the largest dairy states in the nation, providing for Wisconsin’s dairy farmers was Congressman Van Orden’s number one priority for this year’s Farm Bill. 

“I am incredibly proud of the work we did for our dairy farmers in the Farm Bill,” said Congressman Van Orden. “I made sure to talk directly with Third District farmers so that I could come to Congress and fight for policies that ensure they can keep their businesses innovative and operational, and that they can get their products to America’s families."

The Congressman continued, “While there were many great wins for our farmers, I am disappointed that the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBII) increase to $36 million was not included in the bill. However, I am not giving up on our dairy farmers or cheese makers. I will not allow some administrative rule to get in the way of getting the DBII legislation through this Congress. Chairman Thompson has given me his word that he will bulldog this through, and I trust him. We will get this over the finish line.”

“The House Committee on Agriculture has worked exhaustively to craft an effective Farm Bill that meets the needs of our hardworking farmers, revitalizes rural America, and strengthens our national security,” said Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson. “Thank you to Rep. Van Orden for his leadership throughout this process and his dedicated support for the dairy industry. I am confident that the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 will provide certainty to producers and consumers in Wisconsin and across the nation.”

“While WCMA and many dairy business leaders seek the express inclusion of boosted funding in the House bill, we appreciate Congressman Van Orden’s championship of DBII and trust that Chairman Thompson will work to secure the $36 million in annual support necessary to a maintenance of program impact,” said Rebekah Sweeney, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association Senior Director of Programs & Policy. “Inflation and the addition of a fourth innovation center on the West Coast require an increase in Dairy Business Innovation Initiative support, moving forward, to ensure farmers and processors can continue to expand their production and business development, providing greater stability in our food supply chain.” 

“We commend Representative Van Orden for his continued efforts on the House Agriculture Committee to strengthen the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives,” said Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation. “This program supports the dairy industry’s ongoing innovation and cutting-edge advancement, so we are grateful for his advocacy for increasing its authorization.”

Rep. Van Orden’s dairy priorities in the 2024 Farm Bill include:

• Maintaining the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives, with a commitment to work to increase funding levels by $16 million 
• The Dairy Farm Resiliency Act to increase the cap on Tier I coverage for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program to six million pounds
• The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act to amend the current restrictions and permit schools to offer students whole, reduced-fat, low-fat – flavored and unflavored milk
• Restoring Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs) to the “higher-of” formula for the calculation of the price of Class I (fluid) milk
• Adding  a requirement to collect and publish cost-of-production data for organic milk through the Organic Production and Market Data Initiative
• Allowing farmers to voluntarily enter into forward price contracts with handlers for pooled milk used for Class II, III, or IV purposes under FMMOs and permits regulated handlers to pay farmers in accordance with the terms of a forward contract instead of paying the minimum federal order blend price for pooled milk