July 2023 / www.ams.usda.gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

National Federal Milk Marketing Order

2023 Pricing Formula Hearing 

Guidelines

Testimony Guidelines

 Each individual witness testifying in person will have up to 60 minutes to present their testimony and have 

direct examination. 

o A longer prepared statement may be submitted as an exhibit.

 There will be no time limit on cross-examination or re-direct.

 Proponent Witnesses

o Any witness for a party with a proposal contained in the Hearing Notice (except a dairy farmer) must

submit written prepared statements and exhibits in advance to FMMOHearing@usda.gov according to 

the Advanced Exhibit Submission Schedule available on the Hearing Website. 

 Other Interested Party Witnesses

o Other interested parties testifying in support or opposition of a proposal are not subject to the 

Advanced Exhibit Submission Schedule. However, documents to be entered as hearing exhibits should 

be submitted according to the exhibit guidelines below.

 Dairy Farmer Witnesses 

o Testimony can be in-person any time during the hearing or virtually on Fridays.

o Exhibits should be electronically submitted to FMMOHearing@usda.gov by 8:00am ET on the day of 

scheduled testimony for inclusion in the hearing record. The Advance Exhibit Submission Schedule 

does not apply.

o In-Person Testimony

 Pre-registration is not required. 

 Notify a USDA Official upon arrival that you would like to testify.

 Will be provided up to 60 minutes to present testimony and have direct examination.

o Virtual Testimony 

 Starting Friday, September 1, 2023, and each Friday following until the hearing concludes

(except September 22 when the hearing is recessed), beginning at 12:00pm ET, dairy farmers 

may testify virtually in 15-minute time slots. Additional time can be available upon request.

 There will be at least 10 slots for virtual testimony each Friday. 

To testify virtually, dairy farmers must pre-register. Registration for Friday time slots will be 

available starting Monday of the same week on the Hearing Website.

Hearing Website:

https://www.ams.usda.gov/rulesregulations/moa/dairy/hearings/

national-fmmo-pricing-hearing
Agricultural Marketing Service

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

July 2023 / www.ams.usda.gov

Exhibit Guidelines

 Proponent Witness Exhibits

o Any individual representing a party with a proposal contained in the Hearing Notice (except dairy 

farmers) must electronically submit exhibits related to testimony according to the Advanced Exhibit 

Submission Schedule.

 Other Interested Party Exhibits

o Exhibits are not required in advance but should be submitted electronically by 8:00am ET on the day 

the witness plans to testify.

 All exhibits should be electronically submitted to FMMOHearing@usda.gov. 

 All parties must provide a minimum of 15 single-sided copies of each exhibit to USDA for the judge, court 

reporter, and staff. Additional copies should also be provided for hearing attendees.

 Each exhibit should:

o Be pre-numbered. Include “[Submitter Name or Acronym] - Number” on top right corner of each page.

 Example: USDA– 1

o Include page number X of Y on bottom right corner of each page.

 Example: Page 1 of 100

o Exhibit example available on Hearing Website.

 Please refer to the Tips for Saving Hearing Exhibits on the Hearing Website to assist USDA in ensuring exhibits 

posted online are accessible.

Hearing Website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/moa/dairy/hearings/national-fmmo-pricing-hearing