NMPF wants to remind dairy farmers that there is just one week left to join the 2025 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program. DMC helps protect farms from problems like changing markets, low milk prices, and rising costs for supplies.
Sign Up by March 31
Enrollment is open until next Monday, March 31, so don’t wait!
How DMC Works
DMC was created by the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 and extended by the American Relief Act of 2025. This program gives farmers financial help when the difference between the national milk price and the average feed cost drops below a level the farmer chooses. The USDA’s Farm Service Agency runs this program, making it a key tool for managing risks. It works well for small and medium farms and even offers affordable coverage for larger ones.
Other Helpful Programs
NMPF has also worked on other programs like Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) and Livestock Gross Margin—Dairy (LGM-Dairy) to give farmers more ways to protect their businesses.
What You Get with DMC
- Affordable Protection: You get help at the margin level you choose.
- Updated Feed Costs: The program now includes the cost of premium alfalfa hay so the support matches real feed expenses.
- Better Production History Calculations: It now better supports farms that increased production from 2014 to 2019.
- Combination Options: DMC can work together with DRP and LGM-Dairy for extra protection.
Farmers can pick from different levels of coverage, and there is only a $100 fee for the paperwork. For more details, visit the DMC webpage and make sure to apply at your local FSA office before March 31.
