Temporary MAP extension continues to help address high feed costs and market conditions

Horizon Organic® extended a short-term market adjustment premium for its more than 600 family farmers, who continue to experience high input costs. A temporary market adjustment premium, or MAP, provides supplemental payment to what a farmer already earns for his or her milk. Effective today, Horizon is extending a $2 MAP per hundred pounds of milk (hundredweight or cwt) that had been announced earlier this year and was set to expire at the end of June. The current temporary adjustment will now run through Sept. 30, 2012. The extension also includes an additional MAP that was implemented last fall. Both temporary MAPs that Horizon has announced in the last several months were based on market conditions, including increased consumer demand for organic milk and feed costs, which remain high compared to historical levels. "While organic milk supply shortages have moderated since earlier this year, we continue to monitor the marketplace and want to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the organic dairy industry and our more than 600 family farmers," said Ronald D. Schnur, vice president of Horizon dairy supply and operations. "We believe the temporary MAP extension will further help our farmers, who continue to face high costs on their organic dairy farms." Horizon adjusts its MAP to ensure the most sustainable livelihood possible for its organic dairy farmers and the overall organic dairy industry. In addition, Horizon continues to pay added bonuses to farmers who meet high quality standards. In fact, Horizon pays the highest quality bonuses in the country. About Horizon Organic Horizon believes the choice for a healthy family and a healthy planet should be an easy one. Horizon offers a delicious variety of certified organic dairy products to satisfy a broad range of consumer needs. Horizon's commitment to a healthier planet includes offsetting the energy used to produce its products with clean, renewable wind power. Horizon works with over 600 active and transitioning family farmers across the U.S. Founded in 1991, Horizon was a pioneer in the organic industry, the first company to supply organic milk nationally, and remains committed to providing great-tasting dairy products that make it easy for moms to provide nutritious options for her kids. For more information about Horizon's organic dairy products, visit www.horizondairy.com. 5.08.2012