What are Milk Marketing Orders and how do they affect NYS dairy producers?
A. Nearly all milk produced by New York farmers is regulated under a Federal or State Milk Marketing Order. Market orders are voluntary programs that are initiated and approved by dairy farmers. Orders are enforced by State and Federal governments after farmers approve their establishment through voting in a producer referendum. Milk Marketing Orders enhance the orderly marketing of milk through terms and conditions that provide for minimum pricing, audits of receipts, disposition and payments for milk by handlers, and dissemination of market information. A system of classified milk pricing and market-wide pooling is used for cost uniformity among handlers and to yield an equitable return to all producers for the milk marketing areas. Market orders are periodically reviewed to ensure they remain appropriate under changing economic environments. The Department oversees operation of the Western New York State Milk Market Order (WNYSMMO). The WNYSMMO regulates the marketing of milk in all
