Today, Congressman Glenn "GT' Thompson (PA-05) announced that starting July 1, 2015, dairy farmers can enroll in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Margin Protection Program for coverage in 2016. Established by the 2014 Farm Bill, the program provides voluntary financial assistance to participating dairy operations when the margin--the difference between the price of milk and feed costs--falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer.
The Margin Protection Program gives participating dairy producers the flexibility to select coverage levels best suited for their operation. Enrollment begins July 1 and ends on Sept. 30, 2015, for coverage in 2016. Participating farmers will remain in the program through 2018 and pay a $100 administrative fee each year.
"I strongly encourage eligible dairy farmers throughout the Commonwealth to take advantage of this important safety net and utilize the online resources that USDA provides to help farmers determine what level of coverage is most appropriate for their needs," said Congressman Thompson.