United States-Cuts in prices for dairy farmers.

UNITED STATES-

American farmers are facing price cuts for their milk, with Dairy Farmers of America, a milk marketing cooperative owned by more than 18,000 dairy farmers, taking steps to assist its members through what is a "uniquely challenging low-price cycle" in which milk producers face "unprecedented losses".

The DFA’s actions include continued support for Cooperatives Working Together, a dairy farmer-funded initiative to stabilise and strengthen milk prices through herd buyouts and export assistance.

Like producer groups in Australia, DFA said it also is continuing development of new products and technology to increase domestic and international demand, and working to secure the best-possible prices for members by maximising premiums.

DFA said it also has established the "DFA Cares Hotline", a 24-hour support system to offer assistance to members, including answers to general questions, market information and, "in some cases, consultative assistance."

Milk prices are expected to fall more than 30pc this year, and currently, Class I milk prices are the lowest that they have been in six years, Class II prices are the lowest that they have been in nine years and Class III prices are the lowest that they have been in five and one-half years, with a milk:feed ratio that fell to a historical low in January.