Regional
Cooperative
Marketing
ngency
- AN OPEN LETTER TO DAIRYMEN -
Dear Milk Producer,
Increasing financial pressures are causing dairy farmers to hold meetings in many areas of the
Northeast to discuss what can be done to obtain a higher return from the sale of milk.
One method that has been, and is being, used successfully is "over-order pricing”, in which all
milk producers in a region market their milk through a single, legally structured, organization. Such
Common Marketing Agencies are presently functioning in the southeastern and central part of the
nation.
The Regional Cooperative Marketing Agency (RCMA) was set up in 1973 to provide producers in
the Northeast with the proper structure to obtain higher milk prices. At that time, producer support
was strong in New England and in the western New York state marketing order areas. During 18
months of active involvement in the pricing of milk to buyers, RCMA was responsible for adding $22
million to farmers’ milk checks. Unfortunately, due to inadequate producer support, the New
York-New Jersey Order 2 marketing area was not able to participate in the improved returns.
RCMA is still operating. It was challenged in the courts and won a major victory for all dairy
farmers... a court decision that affirms the right of producers to bargain for prices above market
order minimums as long as they do it according to established law.
RMCA is structured to bring together cooperative dairy farmers and independent dairy farmers
for the common purpose of selling milk at a fair market value.
There is no guarantee that any program of over-order pricing will succeed in the Northeast ...but
the only possible hope for such a plan is through the participation of ALL dairy farmers in a common
marketing agency as defined by the Capper-Volstead Act.
RCMA stands ready to serve... if enough producers are willing to make the major effort
necessary. If you would like more information about how RCMA works and what is necessary to
participate, write to the undersigned at; Regional Cooperative Marketing Agency, 831 James St.,
Syrcuse, N.Y. 13203.
Regional Cooperative Marketing Agency
AN ORGANIZATION FOUNDED BY
DAIRY FARMERS IN THE NORTHEAST
TO OBTAIN FAIR VALUE FOR MILK
ABOVE MARKET ORDER MINIMUMS.
RCMA Is a Common Marketing Agency as
defined by the federal Capper-Volstead
Act.
RCMA added $22 million to the milk
checks of New England and western New
York State dairy farmers in 1973 and
1975 through over-order pricing.
RCMA won a landmark decision in the
U.S. Supreme Court defeating a chal
lenge by milk dealers and establishing a
firm legal base for over-order pricing
when carried out according to the
requirements of the law.
November 19,1984
Sincerely,
Arthur Little
Executive Director