HELENA (AP) — The state Board of Livestock has authorized a charge association to assist pay the prices of dairy inspections.
The plan the board permitted Wednesday would barely scale back the fees for dairy farmers however add charges for processors, reminiscent of cheesemakers and enormous amenities, like Darigold and Wilcoxson’s Ice Cream.
Underneath the brand new rule, the month-to-month charges charged would drop from 15.5 cents per hundredweight to 14 cents. The minimal and most month-to-month charges would keep at $50 and $1,050.
The board estimates the change would create a $sixteen,000 price range surplus subsequent yr, offering the Legislature continued its appropriation for the inspections.
Initially, the board had proposed setting the minimal month-to-month cost for producers and processors at $750. Small corporations argued that would put them out of enterprise.
The modifications might take impact as early as July.