The cost of milk may go up in the new year.

A farm bill is stalled in Congress. Without last minute action, the government would have to follow legislation dating back to the Truman presidency which would force Washington buy milk at inflated prices.

The price of milk could rise from its current average cost of $3.65 a gallon to as much as $7.00 a gallon if Congress fails to pass a new farm bill.

A local grocery chain owner said it could ultimately change customer's buying habits. "It's something you have to have in your house, like gasoline. You hear some people say if it gets too high I'm not going to buy it, but they have to have it," said Vance Henderson of Food Country in Mountain City.  "They may just watch it more and be more careful about it."

The higher prices would be based on what it cost to produce milk in 1949 when dairy work was practically done all by hand.

The Senate passed a farm bill back in July, but House leaders have yet to bring their version to the floor.