In an update on the 2019 Farm Bill, the Department of Agriculture has provided target dates for dairy programs. 

In the announcement, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue stated, “we still have a lot of work ahead of us,” but added USDA is diligently working on completing the process. 

 

Specifically relating to dairy in Title One of the farm bill, USDA says the Farm Service Agency will begin offering reimbursements to eligible producers for Dairy Margin Protection Program premiums paid between 2014 and 2017 by May first. 

The Office of the Chief Economist has entered into an agreement with the University of Wisconsin to develop a Dairy Margin Coverage decision tool that will be available to producers by May first, as well. 

 

FSA will open sign-up for the new Dairy Margin Coverage Program beginning June 17, providing coverage retroactive to January 1, 2019, with applicable payments following soon after enrollment. 

Additionally, USDA says Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage program elections by producers for the 2019 and 2020 crop years should be available beginning in September of this year.