Congress Fails To Move Farm Bill, But Milk Prices Will Remain Stable For Now

DETROIT (WWJ) - Although Congress has wrapped up the year without passing a farm bill, the price of milk will not double on January first.

The lapse in legislation means the nation will revert to a 1949 dairy program which will keep milk prices stable. Michigan's junior Senator Debbie Stabenow is on the Agriculture Committee and tells WWJ that there has been movement.

She says progress is being made to consolidate the Senate and House bills but is concerned that milk could be affected if negotiations turn sour.

"Without getting action done in January that becomes a more real possibility as we go into Febuary or March," said Stabenow. "Equally important to me - we have one out of four people who get their job from agriculture in Michigan."

Farm-bill negotiators from both chambers say they'll finish the bill after the holiday break.