The 2007 Dairy Forum attracted more than 625 industry leaders this year, setting an attendance record. IDFA says the event’s success is due in part to the 17 companies that sponsored events and activities during Dairy Forum.

In her keynote speech, IDFA Pres./CEO Connie Tipton, laid out some of the association’s proposals for the 2007 Farm Bill and other dairy policy initiatives this year.

Specifically, Tipton asked the industry to consider alternatives to the current Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) direct payment program and the Dairy Price Support Program. A better safety net, she said, might include direct payments to farmers linked with farm sustainability improvements, and more risk management tools through revenue insurance programs and use of forward contracting. Tipton said IDFA would soon be announcing details of its proposal in a “blueprint” for the 2007 Farm Bill.

“We’re looking at a highly dynamic market that’s evolving at a dizzying rate. It seems clear that if we want to continue to succeed, dairy companies must be agile, innovative and responsive to the market, as well as price-competitive,” Tipton said. “A logical question is, do our current dairy policies help or hurt us as we try to manage all of this?”