Release No. 110-04

Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998

becky.unkenholz@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, June 22, 2004 - The U. S. Department of Agriculture today announced that a public hearing will be held to consider proposals to amend the Upper Midwest milk marketing order. The hearing will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 19 at the Sofitel Minneapolis Hotel (I-494 and Highway 100), 5601 West 78th Street, Bloomington, Minn. 55439.

The hearing will consider a proposal to limit the volume of distant milk pooled on the Upper Midwest order by changing the requirements for producer milk originating outside of the Upper Midwest. Another proposal to be considered would limit the pooling of producer milk normally associated with the market that was not pooled in a prior month while also changing the pooling requirements for producer milk originating outside of the Upper Midwest. Proposals that seek to amend certain other terms and provisions of the order will also be considered at the hearing. Evidence will be taken at the hearing to determine whether marketing conditions exist that warrant omission of a recommended decision.

The hearing notice will be published in the June 23 Federal Register. Copies of the hearing notice may be obtained from the USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs, Rm. 2971 - Stop 0231, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-0231 The hearing notice is also available on AMS' web site, at: www.ams.usda.gov/dairy or by contacting H. Paul Kyburz, Market Administrator at USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs, Suite 210, 4570 West 77th Street Minneapolis, MN 55435-5037, Tel. (952) 831-5292; e-mail: pkyburz@fmma30.com.