Expired farm bill costs SD dairy farmers money

The stalled farm bill may cost small dairy farmers in the state hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost government subsidy payments, and it could double the cost of a gallon of milk in stores.

The Milk Income Loss Contract program ended Sept. 30. It was a safety net providing payments when national milk prices drop in contrast to feed costs. When the new farm bill did not pass this year, and the old one expired, the MILC program halted and was not replaced.