Permanent protections for today’s dairy farmers
As the implementation of the FMMO reform begins this summer, we are working for commonsense updates to the farm bill which will codify critical Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) protections—ensuring all dairy farmers, regardless of processor participation, have access to timely payment and accurate milk testing standards.
Policy Requests (The Ask)
- Timely payments for all | Ensure farmers are paid no less than twice per month—just as FMMOs currently require. Reliable payments prevent financial strain and support farm viability.
- Mandatory Third-Party Milk Testing | Require independent verification of milk testing to ensure accurate pricing and quality assessments. This builds trust and transparency in the marketplace.
It’s time to codify fairness for all dairy farmers in the farm bill
For over a century, the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) system has helped stabilize milk markets and offer basic protections to dairy farmers—ensuring timely payments, accurate milk testing, and minimum pricing. But the landscape of dairy marketing has changed dramatically, and the protections we once counted on may be at risk to some farmers.
Today, nearly 30% of dairy farmers across the country are at risk of these protections—not because they opted out, but because their processors don’t participate in the FMMO system. When processors opt out of the FMMO these basic protections can be at risk.
It’s risk we don’t think dairy farmers should have to take.
We’re not asking for new programs. We’re not reinventing the wheel. We’re calling on Congress to codify existing FMMO protections into federal law as part of the next farm bill—so that all dairy farmers, can count on the same basic level of protections.
Running a dairy farm today means facing risks every single day. From volatile milk prices to skyrocketing input costs, there’s a lot outside our control. But two things we should be able to count on are getting paid on time and knowing that our milk is tested accurately.
Under the FMMO system, these protections are already in place for many farmers. Payments are required at least twice a month, helping operations manage cash flow, meet payroll, and pay bills. Milk testing is verified to ensure that the component levels used to determine our paychecks are accurate and fair.
Codify, Don't create
This isn’t a call for something new. We’re asking Congress to recognize the value of the protections already in place—and to ensure those protections extend to all of us by codifying them into law.
Codifying these standards would:
Guarantee timely, twice-monthly payments to all dairy farmers, preventing undue financial hardship caused by delayed payment.
Require independent, third-party milk testing to confirm quality and component levels, ensuring transparency and trust in the pricing process.
When these standards are set in stone, farmers can plan better, invest more confidently, and focus on what matters most: producing quality milk and running sustainable businesses.
Today, nearly 30% of dairy farmers across the country are not under FMMO protections because their processor has opted out. When processors opt out of the FMMO the basic protections of timely and accurate payments can be at risk.
Why now?
The farm bill offers an opportunity to make real, lasting improvements in how dairy markets function. Lawmakers are actively crafting this legislation, and dairy farmers must be part of the conversation. If we wait, the window may close—and the next chance to address these gaps in protection may be years away.
We have a simple message for Congress: Make fairness permanent. Take Action
This is about more than policy—it’s about fairness, transparency, and the future of our farms. We need to stand together as a dairy community and make our voices heard.
If you believe that every farmer deserves timely payments and accurate testing—regardless of their processor—you can help push this effort forward.
Codify Timely and Accurate Payments in the farm bill
The FMMO was created to provide a blanket of protections for farmers—guaranteeing fair market practices, reliable payments, and accurate pricing. Over time, gaps have formed, leaving many farmers exposed. Now is the time to grant these protections to all farmers, regardless of their participation in the FMMO.
Equal Protection for All Dairy Farmers
Currently, 30% of dairy farmers are excluded from FMMO protections because their processors choose not to participate. This decision should not determine a farmer’s right to timely and accurate payments.
Codify, Don’t Create
We are not introducing new ideas—we are asking Congress to preserve and make permanent the core protections that have long been part of U.S. milk marketing: timely payments and accurate milk testing.