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I have no problem with deregulation/desubsidization of agriculture. If we are supposed to have a free economy, we need to quit the handouts. That said, I think even the farmers who are scared of Hettinga can remain competitive without subsidies. Furthermore, I don't think price controls on milk are necessary. People need milk? (No one really needs milk, by the way, the dairy lobby has persuaded us that we do.) That would be why we have WIC (Women, Infants, and Children: it provides milk, cheese, bread, and cereal to those with low incomes).
The dairy lobby is far too powerful in this country; it's much the same with the cattlemen's lobby and other agricultural lobby groups. It's time we took away some of that power and increased competition in this market. As for some who would claim "What about the small farmer?"--no dairy farmer is a "small" farmer any more. Most are part of larger co-ops, and therefore have the capability to compete with a guy like Hettinga.
Besides, as a consumer, I prefer to buy my milk locally, and am willing to pay a little more for the privilege. I think most people (at least in my neck of the woods) are willing to do the same.
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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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