Enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage by March 31, 2025
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is urging dairy producers to enroll in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program, a vital safety net designed to help offset fluctuations between milk prices and feed costs.
Enrollment for the 2025 coverage year began on January 29 and will remain open until March 31, 2025.
The DMC program, initially established under the 2018 Farm Bill, was extended for another year through the American Relief Act of 2025.
It provides financial assistance to dairy farmers when the margin between the national milk price and average feed costs falls below a predetermined level selected by participants.
Dairy farmers can choose from various levels of coverage, though all participants must pay a $100 administrative fee. However, this fee is waived for those who qualify as limited resource, beginning, socially disadvantaged, or military veteran producers.
The program calculates payments using updated feed and premium hay prices, ensuring a more accurate reflection of dairy farm expenses.
Producers interested in securing coverage should visit the DMC webpage or contact their local USDA Service Center for further details. With unpredictable market conditions, DMC remains an essential risk management tool for safeguarding dairy farm income.