The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Dairy, Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing in Fresno, California on Saturday to review the state’s dairy industry. The Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Gil Gutknecht (R-MN), heard from a variety of dairy producers and processors representing California’s dairy industry.

“California’s dairy producers and processors are among the industry’s leaders, and their testimony reflected this,” said Gutknecht. “Each witness offered thoughtful comments that will be helpful to Members as we consider the next farm bill. I thank my colleagues from California for their help in organizing this important field hearing.”

The California field hearing is the latest in a series of meetings Chairman Gutknecht has held over the past two years to discuss dairy policy prior to the next farm bill.

Witnesses included Richard Cotta of California Dairies Inc., Joaquin Contente of California Farmers Union, Sabino Herrera with Alhem Farm Partnership in Hilmar, Calif., Dino Giacomazzi of Western United Dairymen, Leroy Ornellas, dairy producer from Tracy, Jeep Dolan of Driftwood Dairy in El Monte, Sue Taylor with Leprino Foods Company of Denver, Colo., and John Jeter, Hilmar Cheese Company.