In response to prolonged drought, the U.S. government is preparing to ship more than 200 million pounds of nonfat dry milk to livestock producers in the west.
The powdered milk – equivalent to more than 281 million fluid gallons – will be added to grain as a supplement for livestock feed.
Currently, more than one billion pounds of surplus dry milk are stockpiled around the nation. The government purchased the milk over the past three years to support prices paid to dairy farmers.
The powdered milk will be distributed over the next few weeks to ranchers in nine western states from Arizona to Montana.