Source: USDA, 11/16/20 The U.S. Department of Agriculture reminds dairy producers that the deadline to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) for calendar year 2021 is Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) opened DMC signup in October to help producers manage economic risk brought on by milk price and feed cost disparities.“2020 has been a challenging year for agricultural producers, and we don't know yet what the next year will bring,” FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “Dairy producers should definitely consider coverage for 2021 as even the slightest drop in the margin can trigger payments.” The DMC program, created by the 2018 Farm Bill,
offers reasonably priced protection to dairy producers when the difference
between the all-milk price and the average feed cost (the margin) falls below a
certain dollar amount selected by the producer. Complete
2021 Enrollment/Evaluate Coverage Options For
DMC enrollment, producers must certify with FSA that the operation is
commercially marketing milk, sign all required forms, and pay the $100
administrative fee unless the dairy operation qualifies for a limited resource,
beginning, socially disadvantaged, or military veteran farmers and ranchers
waiver. Producers
interested in DMC have the option to select a $4.00 catastrophic level of
coverage with no premium fee or they can choose to buy-up coverage where the
premium is based on margin triggers between $4.50 and $9.50 on 5 to 95 percent
of established production history. To determine the appropriate level of DMC coverage for a specific
dairy operation, producers can utilize the recently updated online dairy
decision tool. The decision tool is designed to
demonstrate the historical performance of DMC and assist producers with
calculating total premium costs and administrative fees associated with
participation in DMC. An informational video is
available, too. 2020 Margin
Payments For
producers enrolled in DMC for 2020, the fourth DMC payment of the year
triggered in September at $9.40. Including the September payment, dairy
producers across the country have received 11 monthly payments for over $472
million through DMC since the program began in January 2019. For more information, visit farmers.gov DMC webpage, or contact
your local USDA Service Center. To locate your local FSA office, visit farmers.gov/service-center-locator. All USDA Service Centers are open for business, including some
that are open to visitors to conduct business in person by appointment only.
All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with the FSA, Natural
Resources Conservation Service, or any other Service Center agency should call
ahead and schedule an appointment. Service Centers that are open for
appointments will pre-screen visitors based on health concerns or recent
travel, and visitors must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Visitors are
required to wear a face covering during their appointment. Field work will
continue with appropriate social distancing. Our program delivery staff will be
in the office, and they will be working with our producers in office, by phone,
and using online tools. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.
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