Tom Harkin: “Dairy is important. It is the second largest commodity produced in this country at a value of $23 billion, second only…”

“Dairy is important. It is the second largest commodity produced in this country at a value of $23 billion, second only to beef. It is unique among all commodities because it is highly perishable. You cannot store it for long. A dairy farmer has to market it every day, regardless of the price. We have had a price support program for dairy over 50 years. Since 1949, we have had a price support program. We have had market loss payments in each of the last 3 or 4 years for dairy. Every year we come in and we pass a market loss payment. On three occasions we have done that. I would say to my friend from New Mexico and others, we made these market loss payments that went out nationwide. The last market loss payment that went out went to about 225 cows. That was it. We have put $2 billion more into this bill for dairy farmers all over the country. We took $500 million for the Northeast, everything west of Maryland, Delaware, northeast, to help them transition from the compact they have. They need that. Then we took the other $1.5 billion and we spread it around the country.”