November 14, 2007

LANSING - Michigan’s dairy producers have approved a referendum to continue the Michigan Dairy Market Program (for Grade “A” Milk).

Established in January 1983, the Michigan Dairy Market Program was developed to promote the sale of milk and milk products produced within the State of Michigan and to increase consumer knowledge and acceptance of milk and milk products in general.

The program will continue for an additional five years beginning January 1, 2008. The current state program assessment is $.10 per hundredweight of Michigan Grade “A” Milk.

A total of 635 valid ballots were cast in the referendum. Of those, 569 producers voted Yes (90 percent), representing 2,122,073,803 pounds (80 percent of the production volume represented) and 66 producers voted No (10 percent), representing 515,655,882 pounds (20 percent of the production volume represented).

To attain renewal of the program, more than 50 percent of the voting producers (representing more than 50 percent of the pounds sold by those voting) must approve continuation.