WASHINGTON —U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith are urging Minnesota dairy producers to sign up for 2021 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) by Friday, December 11.  

This voluntary program helps dairy producers manage risk  by providing  them with payments whenever their margin—the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed cost—falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer. All dairy operations in Minnesota are eligible for the DMC program.

“As we confront the coronavirus pandemic, dairy farmers continue to face supply chain and market challenges, and they deserve our support during these tough times,” Klobuchar said. “I encourage all dairy farmers who are not yet enrolled in the Dairy Margin Coverage program for 2021 to sign up before December 11. I worked to include a strong safety net for all farmers in the 2018 Farm Bill and encourage dairy farmers specifically to understand how the Dairy Margin Coverage program could benefit their operation and help them get through the serious challenges they are facing.”

"For far too long, the dairy industry has faced low prices, trade disruptions and difficult weather. Now, to add insult to injury, COVID-19 has caused much of the market to dry up,” Smith said. “The Dairy Margin Coverage can help provide producers with some relief during these uncertain times. I encourage them to enroll, and I'll keep fighting to get them additional support.  In October I called on the USDA to reverse its decision to unfairly exclude dairy producers from receiving COVID-19 relief to cover losses related to meat production. I'll keep pushing USDA to support Minnesota dairy farmers.” 

You can find more information about DMC here and locate your local FSA office here.

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