USDA has rejected a request for an emergency hearing for a temporary 
increase in the Class I milk price. Major dairy processors proposed a minimum $15.68 Class I milk price in June, July and August. Agricultural Marketing Service Administrator Bruce Summers said the proposal for a change in federal milk marketing orders was turned down because of the temporary nature of the request and dairy industry interest in alternative solutions to the COVID-19 crisis. Minnesota Milk Producers Association Executive Director Lucas Sjostrom said the proposal would set a precedent that has never been seen in the 80 years of federal milk marketing orders. Rather than creating an artificial price, MMPA supports the one-time direct assistance in the current USDA coronavirus relief package, but with changes to the proposed cap on payments.
