NORWICH – County legislators are urging federal lawmakers to support a piece of legislation which would help struggling dairy farmers.

Last week, the Chenango County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution in support of s.1645, the Federal Milk Marketing Improvement Act of 2009. The bill, 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.

Often referred to as the Specter-Casey Bill, the legislation would standardize a pricing system for Class II milk, which would then be used to determine the Class I price. It would also require the USDA to establish a floor price for Class II milk, which would then be adjusted periodically throughout the year. Protections are also included in the bill, to shield farmers from bearing the expense of milk hauling and processing costs.