Sign up for the Dairy Margin Coverage insurance program begins today at county Farm Service Agency Offices. It replaces the Margin Protection Program. South Dakota Dairy Producers Association President Marv Post says he’s glad to see the USDA moving ahead with this needed program and says it makes sense for producers to sign up for at least tier one of the DMC.

He says DMC offers protection for dairy farmers when the difference between the all milk price and the average feed cost or margin, falls below a dollar amount that’s selected by each producer. Post says it’s also retroactive to January 1, 2019.

Post says by just paying an administrative fee, a dairy producer will receive catastrophic coverage.

Producers can opt for greater coverage levels for a premium combined with the administrative fee.