Twenty-five dairy manufacturers have sent letters to members of the House and Senate agriculture committees opposing the Dairy Security Act that is likely to be included in the next farm bill, the International Dairy Foods Association said in a news release.

Coalitions of Illinois companies, South Dakota companies, Pennsylvania companies and Iowa companies sent letters to their respective members of Congress. New York companies also submitted written testimony after a House Agriculture Committee hearing at which they were not invited to testify.

The letters varied somewhat but each made the point that the dairy manufacturers expect the dairy stabilization program developed by the National Milk Producers Federation and introduced by House Agriculture Committee ranking member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., to be included in the next farm bill, and that they oppose it.

IDFA member letters opposing Dairy Security Act

• March 23, 2012 – Illinois letter to Reps. Hultgren, Johnson and Schilling
• March 22, 2012 – Pennsylvania letter to Sens. Casey and Toomey
• March 12, 2012 – Iowa letter to Sens. Harkin and Grassley
• March 9, 2012 – Great Lakes Cheese letter to Rep. Lucas
• March 8, 2012 – Hood letter to Rep. Owens
• March 7, 2012 – South Dakota letter to Sen. Thune