Statewide & Federal
Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC)
A safety net for dairy farms when milk prices drop or feed costs climb. Enrollment for 2027 is open October 5 through December 18, 2026.
What It Offers
- DMC pays when the national gap between the all-milk price and average feed cost falls below the level you choose.
- Coverage levels run from $4.00 to $9.50 per hundredweight in 50-cent steps. The $4.00 catastrophic level has no premium.
- Starting in 2026, the lower-cost Tier 1 coverage applies to the first 6 million pounds of production (up from 5 million).
- Producers who locked in coverage for 2026 through 2031 still need to sign up each year to keep it.
Benefits for Veterans
- USDA lists the $100 yearly administrative fee as waived for veteran dairy farmers. Ask your FSA office to confirm when you enroll, and have your veteran certification (form CCC-860) on file.
How to Get Started
- Have your milk marketing statements ready to set or confirm your production history.
- Try USDA’s free DMC decision tool to compare coverage levels.
- Enroll at your county FSA office by December 18, 2026 for 2027 coverage.
Sources: USDA Farm Service Agency DMC page and 2027 enrollment announcement (September 30, 2026); farmers.gov Military Veteran Farmers page.
