The Farm Service Agency is allowing dairy producers to enroll for 2018 Margin Protection Program insurance coverage or opt out if they so choose. The options became available last Friday. Minnesota Milk Producers Association President Dave Buck thinks that’s a positive move.

He says it’s also positive the FSA is giving producers adequate time to make their decision on whether to enroll or opt out.

Buck says the Margin Protection Program needs tweaking and he’s hoping lawmakers will address the problems as they write the new farm bill. He says they should calculate payments on a monthly basis and use the original feed formula in the new program.

Enrollment for 2018 coverage in the Dairy Margin Protection Program ends on December 15. The decision to opt out is for 2018 only and is not retroactive.