Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Herb Kohl today called the two year extension of the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) a victory for Wisconsin's Dairy farmers. The MILC program extension was included in the budget reconciliation conference report, which was passed by the Senate today. The House passed the budget reconciliation act early Monday morning. The MILC program, which expired in September 2005, has provided $414 million since 2001 in support to Wisconsin dairy farmers struggling with plummeting milk prices. Kohl helped establish the MILC program as part of the 2002 Farm Bill to end regional fighting over milk pricing policies.

"I am very pleased MILC program has been extended," said Kohl. "The MILC extension is one hopeful element in an otherwise difficult bill. It will help thousands of Wisconsin dairy families survive if we have another bout of disastrous prices. That's why I have fought so hard for a basic safety net. This is the third time Senate has passed a MILC extension and I'm glad the House leadership has finally joined us in recognizing the importance of a basic safety net for dairy."

The budget reconciliation act will return to the House of Representatives for two technical corrections unrelated to MILC before going to the President to be signed into law.

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