Your June 18 editorial on the recently expired dairy diversion program presented a mean-spirited and distorted view of dairy farmers and milk price supports. You implied that the taxpayers paid for the diversion program. The facts are that the program was essentially self-financed. Revenues from dairy farmer assessments were $875 million compared with program costs of $955 million. The program was at least a partial success because it reduced 1984 milk production 3 percent below 1983.
Contrary to your assertion, Wisconsin dairy farmers were not made wealthy by the program. Fewer than 3 percent of Wisconsin participants received more than $50,000. The typical participating farmer in the state had 40 cows and received $17,000–a payment that came primarily from assessments on the sale of milk.
The program was not a taxpayer gouging plan. It was an earnest attempt by dairy farmers to solve their overproduction problems without burdening taxpayers.
