Consistent with the recommended decision published in the Federal Register July 15, 2024, the final decision puts forth a package of amendments to update formulas and factors based on the evidentiary record of the proceeding. It also makes certain limited changes from the recommended decision based on public comments and reevaluation of record evidence, as follows:  

1.  Reduction in the delayed implementation of the revised skim milk composition factors from 12 months to 6 months;
2.  Inclusion of a $0.0015 marketing cost factor in all make allowances;
3.  A modification to the methodology used to determine the nonfat dry milk make allowance; and
4.  Limited changes to certain county-specific Class I differentials.

The final decision will publish in the Federal Register soon.

Following the publication of the final decision and before any changes take effect, AMS will conduct producer referendums in each of the 11 FMMOs. Producers whose milk was pooled on an FMMO in January 2024 are eligible to participate in the referendum. They will have the opportunity to vote in favor of or opposition to the FMMOs as proposed to be amended in the final decision.

AMS will mail ballots to eligible independent producers and qualified cooperative associations. Ballots must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2024, and returned by Jan. 15, 2025, to be counted. The referendum process is administered and overseen by AMS. Information about the referendum process has been posted to the hearing website.  

Additionally, AMS will host three public webinars to further inform stakeholders of the proposed amendments and producer referendum process. These webinars will take place Nov. 19 and Nov. 25 at 11 a.m. ET and Nov. 21 at 3 p.m. ET. A link to access the webinars will be provided in advance on the AMS hearing website. In addition, AMS supplementary educational documents have been posted on the hearing website.

The final decision follows a 49-day national hearing held from Aug. 23, 2023, to Jan. 30, 2024, in Carmel, Indiana, where AMS heard testimony and received evidence on 21 proposals from the dairy industry. AMS issued a recommended decision on July 1, 2024, followed by its publication in the Federal Register on July 15, 2024, which began a 60-day public comment period. The public comment period ended Sept. 13, 2024, with 128 comments received and reviewed by AMS.

Copies of the final decision, information on the producer referendum process, and the entire hearing record can be found on the hearing website or obtained from USDA/AMS/Dairy Program; STOP 0225 - Rm. 2530; 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0225. Procedural questions can be submitted to fmmohearing@usda.gov. 

Upon hearing the news, John Umhoefer, executive director of WCMA, issued the following comment: “This is exemplary performance by USDA staff, meeting deadlines in a complex, public hearing process to reform milk pricing. This Final Decision makes clear that USDA has been meticulous and responsive in its efforts to prepare these technical changes to federal milk marketing orders.”

“While this decision is not a cure-all for dairy manufacturers and processors facing rising production costs, WCMA members acknowledge the significant effort made by USDA leadership and staff throughout this process,” added Umhoefer. 

“While not all of our proposals were included in the final decision, and we believe more could have been done to enhance the pricing formula, we are satisfied that the changes do not negatively impact our dairy farmer members," said Tim Trotter, CEO, Edge Dairy Cooperative.  “In aggregate, we believe the proposed reform would slightly decrease the minimum regulated price private milk buyers have to pay to pooled milk producers in the Upper Midwest order and would slightly increase the price to producers in the Central and Mideast orders. In all cases, we expect the impact on milk checks, after accounting for impact to over-order premiums, to be neutral or positive.”