USDA will be holding a “national” public hearing on a proposal to seek changes to the “Class III and Class IV milk price formula manufacturing allowances for all Federal milk marketing orders. USDA will take evidence at the hearing to determine whether emergency marketing conditions exist that would warrant omission of a recommended decision.”

The hearing was requested by Agri-Mark Dairy Cooperative to reconsider the manufacturing cost allowances provided for in the pricing formulas for cheese, whey powder, butter, and nonfat dry milk powder. The proponent stated that the current fixed allowances were calculated using 1998-2000 California and Department of Agriculture Cooperative Service surveys. While the product price formulas have been amended since 2000, the proponent claims that manufacturing costs have continued to increase, leaving them unable to recoup these additional costs from the marketplace.

The hearing will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 24, 2006, at the Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria, 801 North Saint Asaph Street, Alexandria, Va. 22314.

I guess that since it’s a national hearing the whole nation is invited. Can we all fit into the Sheraton Suites?