ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- New York's senators are both lobbying for dairy farmers on Capitol Hill.

Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer is calling on the Republican-led House of Representatives to temporarily bring back a program that protected 5,400 dairy farms in upstate New York when feed costs jumped. Schumer says the House needs to take action before year's end in order to avoid a big spike milk prices.

Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is among senators in both parties urging Agriculture Committee leaders to keep dairy pricing reforms in any final farm bill agreement with the House.

The farm bill could be part of a deal to avert the so-called fiscal cliff because the legislation would save money.

Copyright 2012 The AP.