Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) praised the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) final decision to modernize Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMO), including a critical provision he championed to reinstate the “higher of” Class I mover formula. This change is expected to bring greater fairness and stability to dairy farmers in New York’s 23rd Congressional District and across the nation.
Langworthy spearheaded the reform through his Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act of 2023, included in the Farm Bill passed by the House Agriculture Committee. The provision restores a pricing model used before the 2018 Farm Bill, which had replaced it with a less advantageous averaging formula, costing farmers over $1 billion in revenue during its implementation.
“This decision marks a long-overdue victory for dairy farmers,” Langworthy said. “By restoring the ‘higher of’ formula, we are delivering the fairness and stability farmers have been demanding. New York’s dairy producers—among the most significant in the nation—can now look forward to a brighter future.”
The adjustment was informed by feedback from stakeholders during a Farm Bill Listening Session held in Portland, NY, in 2023, co-hosted by Langworthy and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson. Farmers, producers, and industry leaders outlined their challenges, including the negative impact of the 2018 pricing formula on income and stability.
New York ranks among the top five dairy-producing states, relying on FMMOs to set minimum milk prices and facilitate orderly marketing. The return to the “higher of” formula addresses financial challenges exacerbated by COVID-19 disruptions, benefiting both farmers and the broader dairy supply chain.
National Milk Producers Federation CEO Greg Doud lauded the decision, stating, “This modernization plan ensures fairer milk pricing and benefits everyone in the dairy industry. We are grateful for Representative Langworthy’s strong advocacy.”
The New York Farm Bureau also welcomed the reform, emphasizing the significance of the pricing change for New York farmers. “Representative Langworthy’s efforts have been pivotal in achieving this outcome,” the organization said.
Langworthy vowed to continue supporting dairy farmers, underscoring their critical role in the agricultural economy. He described the decision as a turning point, promising greater security for an industry foundational to both his district and the nation.
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