House and Senate ag leaders want the USDA to extend the enrollment period for the Dairy Margin Protection Program. The leaders are asking Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to extend the sign-up deadline from September 30 to December 31 and make it permanent. South Dakota Dairy Producers Association President Marv Post says that could be helpful for dairy farmers.

He says the margin protection program has worked better for the smaller producers, than it has for larger operators.

Post says sign-up has been slow because MPP hasn’t been as effective as dairy producers expected. He says federal lawmakers need to consider tweaking the program.

House and Senate Ag leaders like House Ag Chairman Mike Conaway are hoping by extending the margin protection program it will encourage additional participation.