Delgado Encourages Farmers to Sign Up for Dairy Margin Coverage Program Starting Today

Press Release

Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) is encouraging Upstate New York dairy farmers and producers to sign up for the new Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program. From June 17 through September 20, 2019, dairy farmers can sign up for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) DMC program at their local Farm Service Agency office. Click here for additional information on the DMC program, which was authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill to help dairy producers survive volatile changes to milk and feed prices.

"As Upstate farmers continue to face low prices and increased market consolidation, I hope this program will provide much-needed support during this challenging farm economy," said Delgado. "I encourage dairy farmers to take advantage of the enrollment period and begin making coverage decisions. As a Member of the House Agriculture Committee, I'm deeply committed to supporting Upstate dairy farmers and I'll be closely following implementation of the DMC program. I will continue fighting to give Upstate dairy farmers the support and certainty they need."

Over the last 10 years, the United States has lost over one-third of licensed dairy farms. The DMC program provides coverage retroactive to January 1, 2019, with applicable payments following soon after enrollment. At the time of signup, dairy producers can choose between the $4.00 to $9.50 coverage levels. The DMC program replaces the Margin Protection Program for Dairy. To assist producers in making coverage elections, USDA has also developed a DMC decision support tool. Rep. Delgado joined his colleagues in a letter to Secretary Purdue to urge swift implementation of these provisions.

As an active member of the House Agriculture Committee, Rep. Delgado has made supporting Upstate dairy farmers a priority. Rep. Delgado introduced the bipartisan Family Farmer Relief Act, legislation that would ease the process of reorganizing debt through Chapter 12 bankruptcy rules. Last week, Rep. Delgado introduced the bipartisan Young Farmer Success Act to preserve America's agricultural economy and the security of its national food supply by adding full-time farmers and ranchers to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. In March, Rep. Delgado co-sponsored the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2019, which allows schools that participate in the School Lunch Program to buy flavored and unflavored whole milk for students. Rep. Delgado has also established and convened two meetings with his 19th Congressional Agriculture Advisory Committee to discuss the current down farm economy and advise him on legislation affecting farmers. Rep. Delgado has visited and toured nine farms in NY-19.

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