Release No. 263-05

Becky Unkenholz (2020 720-8998

becky.unkenholz@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 21, 2006 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a recommended decision to adopt amendments to the pooling provisions of the Upper Midwest milk marketing order. This decision is based on testimony and evidence given at a public hearing held in Bloomington, Minn., on Aug. 16 -19, 2004.

The amendments recommended for adoption would:1) establish a limit on the volume of milk a handler may pool during the months of April through February to 125 percent of the volume of milk pooled in the prior month; 2) establish a limit on the volume of milk a handler may pool during the month of March to 135 percent of the volume of milk pooled in the prior month; and 3) allow the market administrator to increase the maximum administrative assessment rate up to 8 cents per hundredweight on all pooled milk if necessary to maintain the required fund reserves.

The recommended decision will appear in the Feb.22 Federal Register.

Public comments are due April 24th.

For additional information about the decision contact:

Upper Midwest: H. Paul Kyburz, Market Administrator

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

4570 West 77th Street, Suite 210

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55435-5037

Tel. (952) 831-5292; e-mail: pkyburz@fmma30.com.