Judge Bars Officials From Requiring ‘X’ Brand on Dairy Cows
A federal judge Friday temporarily barred federal agriculture officials from forcing farmers to brand the faces of dairy cows involved in a federal buy-out program designed to end a national milk surplus.
U.S. District Judge Michael Telesca said the Humane Society of Rochester and Monroe County had presented sufficient evidence that raised “substantial questions” about the branding requirement.
His order prevents the U.S. Agriculture Department from forcing farmers to brand dairy cows with an “X” on their faces.
The temporary restraining order is in effect until Tuesday, when Telesca will conduct hearings on whether a preliminary injunction should be granted to bar the practice altogether, court officials said.
Under the program, the federal government pays farmers $22.50 for every 100 pounds of milk the cows produced in a previous period. In return, the farmers must leave dairy farming for five years.
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