The California Assembly Agriculture Committee postponed a hearing on a bill concerning the whey value in Class 4b milk price formulas until May 1. Originally scheduled for April 17, the hearing will begin at 1:30 p.m. in room 126 at the State Capitol, Sacramento, Calif., according to Western United Dairymen.
California Assemblyman Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) introduced AB 31 in December 2012. It would require the California Department of Food & Agriculture to more closely align the whey value in the California 4b formula with the regulated minimum price for whey found in surrounding states. The formula could set the whey value at no less than 80% of the dry whey value used in federal milk marketing order minimum producer prices Class III milk. Both Class 4b and Class III milk are used to produce cheese.
If approved by the Ag Committee, it would move to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for fiscal review, and then on to the Assembly floor for consideration by the 80-member chamber.
Source:Â Dairy Business