WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN), both members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced that the deadline for eligible farmers to enroll in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) and Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage (SDMC) programs has been extended to March 25. These programs help dairy producers manage the volatility of milk and feed price disparities.
“The Dairy Margin Coverage program helps provide Minnesota’s dairy farmers with important stability and relief that benefits our rural communities,” said Klobuchar. “This extended sign-up period will allow additional time for dairy farmers to evaluate their eligibility and enroll. I encourage all dairy farmers to apply for DMC assistance before March 25.”
“During periods of price volatility, the Dairy Margin Coverage program is an important assurance for dairy farmers,” said Smith. “I encourage dairy farmers to take advantage of this extended sign-up period and enroll before the new March 25 deadline.”
Producers interested in enrolling in the DMC and SDMC programs must certify with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) that their operation commercially markets milk, sign all required forms and pay an administrative fee. This online dairy decision tool is available for producers to determine their specific level of DMC coverage. For more information, producers can visit the FSA dairy programs webpage, or contact their local USDA Service Center. To locate their local FSA office, producers can visit farmers.gov/service-center-locator.
Klobuchar and Smith have worked to provide vital support for dairy producers continuing to face challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Last year, they fought to secure supplemental DMC payments for small and medium-sized dairy farms in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. In August 2021, Klobuchar and Smith led a letter with Representative Angie Craig (D-MN) to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack urging him to prioritize finalizing the Supplemental DMC payments.
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