Dairy producers are being reminded the deadline to enroll for 2024 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) is April 29, 2024. This important safety net program provides producers with price support to help offset milk and feed price differences.
USDA’s Farm Service Agency has revised the regulations for DMC to allow eligible dairy operations to make a one-time adjustment to established production history. This adjustment will be accomplished by combining previously established supplemental production history with DMC production history for those dairy operations that participated in Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage during a prior coverage year.
In 2023, DMC payments triggered in 11 months including two months, June and July, where the margin fell below the catastrophic level of $4.00 per hundredweight.
DMC offers different levels of coverage, even an option that is free to producers, minus a $100 administrative fee. The administrative fee is waived for dairy producers who are considered limited resource, beginning, socially disadvantaged or a military veteran.
To determine the appropriate level of DMC coverage for your dairy operation, producers are encouraged to use the on-line dairy decision tool. Or, for more information, contact your local USDA Service Center.