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Abstract
Dairy policy often becomes a contentious topic during U.S. farm bill negotiations. The dairy
subtitle of the 2012 farm bill has been debated and discussed since 2009. This research uses
best-worst scenario methods to analyze dairy farmer preferences for policy options, including
eliminating existing dairy policies, implementing new dairy policies related to income support
and growth management, and ending ethanol subsidies. Results indicate that large and small dairy
herd operators have differing preferences. Large herd operators prefer to end ethanol subsidies
rather than specific dairy policy changes, while small herd operators most preferred support for
income over feed-cost margins.