Wisconsin lawmakers have tried to overturn the policies many times, only to be repeatedly foiled by Congressional power brokers using the price regime in political trade-offs. The most recent milk-price reform effort was scuttled in 1999, when Sen. Trent Lott. Critics say the controversial New England Dairy Compact, which in 1997 raised minimum milk prices even higher for farmers in six lucky New England states, was the product of similar wheeling and dealing. The price system makes particularly little sense in light of Wisconsin's favorable conditions for dairy farming. Cropp says Wisconsin's natural milk affinity ranges from a climate that supports cattle comfortably to its well-kept back roads.
Farmers can even grow alfalfa as feed with no more irrigation than the frequent rains.
Meanwhile, many farmers are raking it in by farming on land never meant for dairy cattle, where the humidity and heat combine to dramatically lower cows' milk production. Certainly, times are tough for dairy farmers across the country. Competition from huge Western farms, along with a downswing in prices over the last year, has created a tremendous pressure on dairy farmers in Vermont and Wisconsin to maximize efficiency, which means making herds as large as possible. Vermonters like Bill Rich aren't seeing the profits if the Green Mountain State's dairymen are, in fact, making a killing off the backs of Wisconsinites. Because of low milk prices, he must sell his 40-cow herd soon.