Dairy bills in play at the Texas Capitol
By Darren Turley
TAD Executive Director
The 88th legislative session is very close to being over when you read this. The Texas Association of Dairymen (TAD) staff has worked so hard this session to pass two pieces of legislation of interest to the Texas dairy industry and get it to the governor’s desk, the final step to becoming law. With two weeks to go (as I’m writing this), one has made it there and one is still awaiting a hearing in a Texas Senate committee with time rapidly running out.
I have frequently told people that the process to prevent the passage of legislation that can impact dairy producers is a diligent effort. But the work to pass a bill – getting it through both chambers and then to the governor to become law – is just as difficult. The Texas legislative system is designed to kill more bills than are passed; out of 6,927 bills filed during the 2021 legislative session, for example, only 15% (1,073) passed.
TAD has a very knowledgeable staff that works with so many legislative offices to promote and answer questions about our bills and work toward favorable votes in both chambers. The relationships that have been developed over the last decade have been crucial in the positive movement of legislation this session.
You’ll find a full report on the latest from the Capitol in this governmental relations report in this newsletter. A wrap-up of the legislative session, which adjourns May 29, will be in the June edition of the Dairy Dispatch.
While TAD has been working in Austin this spring, rains have given most of the state a good start for a successful crop. After the horrible drought experienced last year, this is a true blessing. However, milk pricing is expected to be below break-even for most producers, and a great increase in pricing through the end of the year is not expected. The timing of this might be useful for the Farm Bill discussion that is underway in Washington. The current safety net programs are restrictive to the larger dairy producers in the western United. Hopefully the needed changes to current programs will be addressed in payment limits in the new Farm Bill.
The Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) reform discussion between producers and processors is beginning to become streamlined, and proposals by both sides are closer together than I expected. These two sides need to come together to modernize the FMMO rules to propel the industry into the next decade. Processors have had a slight advantage in previous Farm Bills and in the FMMO regulations.
Finally, the most concerning issue for most farms and businesses across the state is the need for more labor. The report that 7 million working age males are not seeking employment in the current job market leaves the market very short of employees, even with the increased number of immigrants seeking to come to the United States.
Enjoy the last of spring because Texas usually switches very quickly to the hot summer temperatures. Have a great Memorial Day and remember the veterans who sacrificed all for our freedom.