What do Federal Milk Marketing Orders describe?

Federal Milk Marketing Orders primarily govern the payment structure for milk producers, including the prices that farmers receive for their milk. These orders establish minimum prices that processors must pay to dairy farmers based on various classifications of milk and different regional markets. The intent is to ensure fairness and stability within the dairy market by regulating how much farmers are compensated and ensuring that these payments reflect the quality and utility of the milk they produce.

While options such as types of dairy products, quality standards, and regulations for dairy farming are related topics, they do not encompass the main purpose of the Federal Milk Marketing Orders. Instead, these orders focus predominantly on market conditions and payment to producers, addressing more directly the economic aspects of the dairy industry.