USDA Updating Producers on Farm Bill Implementation Progress

(WASHINGTON, DC) USDA recently updated shareholders regarding their progress in implementing the new 2018 Farm Bill. On March 22nd, Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that dairy producers who elected to participate in the Livestock Gross Margin for Dairy Cattle Program in 2018 can now retroactively participate in MPP-Dairy for 2018. In addition, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) revised monthly price survey reports to include prices for high-quality alfalfa hay in the top five milk producing states to be utilized in the new Dairy Margin Coverage feed calculation. FSA will begin offering reimbursements to eligible producers for MPP-Dairy premiums paid between 2014-2017 before May 1st. The University of Wisconsin will develop a Dairy Margin Coverage decision tool that will be available to producers by May 1st and FSA will open sign-up for the new Dairy Margin Coverage Program beginning June 17th, providing coverage retroactive to January 1st, with applicable payments following soon after enrollment.