By Jamie Martin
Dairy producers are encouraged to enroll in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program, a crucial initiative by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that helps manage financial risks due to fluctuations in milk and feed prices. Enrollment for the 2025 program year started on January 29 and will close on March 31, 2025.
Originally introduced under the 2018 Farm Bill, DMC has been extended for 2025 under the American Relief Act. The program provides payments to dairy farmers when the difference between the national milk price and average feed costs drops below a selected coverage level.
Farmers can opt for different coverage levels, with a $100 administrative fee required to participate. However, this fee is waived for eligible producers, including those classified as beginning, limited resource, socially disadvantaged, or military veterans.
To ensure payments accurately reflect expenses, DMC uses updated feed and premium hay costs in its calculations. This adjustment makes the program a more effective financial safeguard for dairy operations.
For more information or to sign up, producers should visit the DMC webpage or reach out to their local USDA Service Center. The program remains an essential tool in providing economic stability for dairy farmers nationwide.
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Categories: National