WFC Commends Gov. Doyle’s Support of MILC

MADISON, Wis. (May 3, 2007) – The Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives (WFC) commends Gov. Jim Doyle’s ongoing support for the Milk Income Loss (MILC) program. Gov. Doyle testified Tuesday before the Senate Agricultural Committee in Washington, D.C., urging senators to make MILC permanent.

“Gov. Doyle has been one of Wisconsin’s strongest supporters of the state’s $20 billion dairy industry,” said Bill Oemichen, WFC president and CEO.  “His support of MILC demonstrates that the governor knows Wisconsin’s 14,000 dairy producers need a true safety net to protect them when prices are low.”

The MILC program emerged out of the 2002 Farm Bill.  It has provided producers with a better and less expensive safety net than the Milk Price Support Program and it helps producers of all regions.  Assistance is only provided to producers when market prices fall below target levels.  When prices are strong the MILC program is dormant.  However, MILC has been critical when prices do fall to low levels.

Eighty-five percent of Wisconsin’s milk is shipped through dairy cooperatives. As the statewide trade association representing cooperatives, WFC recognizes that MILC is intended to be used only as a safety net, and Oemichen said he hopes that milk prices will continue on their current upswing and producers will, therefore, get their income from the market, not the government.