NORWICH – At the urging of a South New Berlin dairy farmer, a group of county leaders are prepared to support a senate bill designed to reform dairy pricing across the United States.
“These farms are all in jeopardy,” dairyman Ken Dibbell told members of the county’s Agriculture, Buildings and Grounds committee last Tuesday as he urged them to take action in support of Chenango’s struggling dairy farmers.
Dibbell, known as “Mr. Milk” for his efforts to advocate for the dairy industry, was at the meeting to garner support for the Spector-Casey Bill, s.1645. The legislation, aimed at addressing the disparity between the cost of milk production and farm gate milk prices, was introduced more than a year ago by Pennsylvania Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey.
According to Dibbell, the bill is the only piece of legislation currently proposed which addresses both how milk prices are determined and the cost of production. Others, he explained, pointing to the Dairy Price Stabilization Program as an example, only address the first part of this equation
“All it does is stabilize the price; it doesn’t address the cost,” Dibbell said. “Until we address cost, we haven’t addressed anything.”
Dibbell urged the committee to take the first step in showing support for the bill, by weighing in on a poll being conducted by Progressive Dairyman magazine.
“All you’ve got to do is vote and be counted,” he said.
Dibbell also expressed his frustration that New York’s senators have not yet signed on in support of the bill.
“He supports the bill, but he won’t sign on to it,” the dairyman reported, referring to Senator Charles Schumer’s stated stance on s.1645.
Time is of the essence to support the bill, according to Dibbell. Since Specter was defeated in Tuesday’s Pennsylvania primary, his tenure in Washington will come to an end in January.
The committee members present were receptive to Dibbell’s stand.
“I’m certainly willing to support the resolution,” said Town of Preston Supervisor Peter Flanagan, when it was suggested the committee bring the matter forward to the full board of supervisors for their consideration.
Town of Afton Supervisor Bob Briggs, who chairs the committee, echoed Flanagan’s sentiments, as did Town of Pharsalia Supervisor Dennis Brown, Town of Sherburne Supervisor William Crane and City of Norwich Supervisor Linda Natoli.
“All of our farm groups ought to be out there promoting this,” Natoli commented.
Dibbell urged all area residents, consumers and farmers alike, to participate in the poll by visiting the Progressive Dairyman website, www.progressivedairy.com/poll.
Votes can also be cast via e-mail to walt@progressivedairy.com; by fax to (208) 324-1133; or by mail to PD Poll, Progressive Dairyman, P.O. Box 585 Jerome, ID 83338. All ballots should include name, city and state.