Release No.176 -04

Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998

becky.unkenholz@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 23, 2004 - The U. S. Department of Agriculture today announced a final decision that permanently adopts amendments to the classification of milk provisions in all 10 Federal milk marketing orders. These provisions were previously implemented on an interim basis. This decision is based on testimony and evidence from a public hearing held Oct. 21, 2003, in Alexandria, Va.

This decision adopts changes that reclassify milk used to produce evaporated milk or sweetened condensed milk in consumer-type packages from Class III to Class IV. A proposal to classify monthly bulk milk ending inventories to the lowest-priced class of Class III or Class IV is not adopted in this final decision.

The final decision will be published in the Sept. 24 Federal Register. USDA will conduct a vote within 30 days to determine whether dairy farmers approve the proposed amended orders. If approved, a final rule will follow to implement these changes.

Additional information about the decision may be obtained from market administrator offices as follows:

Northeast: Erik F. Rasmussen

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 51478 (FT Point Station), Boston, MA. 02205-1478

Tel. (617) 737-7199; email: erasmussen@fedmilk1.com

Appalachian: Harold H. Friedly

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 18030, Louisville, KY 40261-0030

Tel. (502) 499-0040;email: friedly@malouisville.com

Florida and Southeast: Sue L. Mosley

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 491778, Lawrenceville, GA 30049

Tel. (770) 682-2501;email: smosley@fmmatlanta.com

Upper Midwest: H. Paul Kyburz

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

Suite 210, 4570 West 77th St., Minneapolis, MN 55435-5037

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

Central: Donald R. Nicholson

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 14650, Shawnee Mission, KS 66285-4650

Tel. (913) 495-9300;email: donald.nicholson@fmmacentral.com

Mideast: David Z. Walker

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 30128, Cleveland, OH 44130-0128

Tel. (440) 826-3220; email: dwalker@fmmaclev.com

Pacific Northwest & Arizona-Las Vegas: James R. Daugherty

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

Building J, Suite 102; 1930-220th St., SE., Bothell, WA. 98021-8471

Tel. (425) 487-6009; email: jdaugherty@fmmaseattle.com

Southwest: J. Richard Fleming

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 110939, Carrollton, TX. 75011-0939

Tel. (972) 245-6060; email: sw.order@dallasma.com