Grassley said he organized the meetings to collect first-hand perspective from Iowans about the proposal, which would streamline and make the nation's 60-year-old system of pricing milk more market-oriented. Grassley said he would use the input from Iowa producers who attend the meetings, and from those who write to him, as part of the formal comment he plans to make on the proposed rule. The USDA will take public comment on the proposal through March 31.
"The 1,100-page proposal appears to have met the directive of the 1996 farm bill to consolidate existing milk marketing orders. It could take an arcane pricing system into the 21st Century by removing Eau Claire, Wisconsin, as the determining factor for milk pricing. And, it appears that most of Iowa was placed in the Central Milk Marketing Order, which should benefit most of our dairy producers," Grassley said.
Specifically, Grassley said he wants to hear directly from Iowa producers if they think the new proposal would make the pricing system more fair and equitable for them. Grassley's meetings are scheduled in mid-February, as follows. The public is invited to attend, along with dairy producers, to ask questions or express concerns on any subject.
Monday, February 1610:00-11:00 a.m.
The Office of the Howard County Farm Bureau
124 First Avenue West, Cresco, 319/547-2937
1:00-2:00 p.m.
The Office of the Winneshiek County Farm Bureau
214 Winnebago Street, Decorah, 319/382-8713
2:45-3:45 p.m.
The Office of the Allamakee County Farm Bureau
14 First Avenue, N.E., Waukon, 319/568-2527
8:00-9:00 p.m.
The Office of the Dubuque County Farm Bureau
2333 John F. Kennedy Road, Dubuque, 319/556-5275
Tuesday, February 17
10:00-11:00 a.m.
The Office of the Delaware County Farm Bureau
115 East Delaware Street, Manchester, 319/927-3815
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Pizza Ranch
1900 First Street W., Independence, 319/334-9000