---

The Margin Protection Program - Dairy (MPP - D) replaces MILC and is effective through December 31, 2018. The Margin Protection Program offers dairy producers: (1) catastrophic coverage, at no cost to the producer, other than an annual $100 administrative fee; and (2) various levels of buy-up coverage. Catastrophic coverage provides payments to participating producers when the national dairy production margin is less than $4 per hundredweight (cwt). The national dairy production margin is the difference between the all-milk price and average feed costs. Producers may purchase buy-up coverage that provides payments when margins are between $4 and $8 per cwt. To participate in buy-up coverage, a producer must pay a premium that varies with the level of protection the producer elects.
The annual coverage election period for calendar year 2016 MPP-Dairy coverage begins July 1, 2015, and ends on September 30, 2015. Participating dairy operations that registered for 2014 and/or 2015 coverage are required to participate in the MPP-Dairy program through 2018 with at least CAT level coverage.













At a milk margin minus feed costs of $8.00 or less, payments are possible depending on the level of coverage chosen by the dairy producers. For the Margin period of March and April it appears if you insured the $8.00 level you will earn a payment of about .50415 per hundredweight.

New Farm Bill offers increased opportunities for producers
The 2014 Farm Bill offers increased opportunities for producers including farm loan program modifications that create flexibility for new and existing farmers. A fact sheet outlining modifications to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Loan Programs is available here.
The Farm Bill expands lending opportunities for thousands of farmers and ranchers to begin and continue operations, including greater flexibility in determining eligibility, raising loan limits, and emphasizing beginning and socially disadvantaged producers.

Changes that will take effect immediately include:
• Elimination of the 15 year term limit for guaranteed operating loans.
• Modification of the definition of beginning farmer, using the average farm size for the county as a qualifier instead of the median farm size.
• Modification of the Joint Financing Direct Farm Ownership Interest Rate to 2 percent less than regular Direct Farm Ownership rate, with a floor of 2.5 percent. Previously, the rate was established at 5 percent.
• Increase of the maximum loan amount for Direct Farm Ownership Down Payment Loan Program from $225,000 to $300,000.
• Elimination of rural residency requirement for Youth Loans, allowing urban youth to benefit.
• Debt forgiveness on Youth Loans, which will not prevent borrowers from obtaining additional loans from the federal government.
• Increase of the guaranteed percentage on Conservation Loans from 75 to 80 percent and 90 percent for socially disadvantaged borrowers and beginning farmers.
• Microloans will not count toward direct operating loan term limits for veterans and beginning farmers.
Additional modifications must be implemented through the rule-making processes. Visit the FSA Farm Bill website for detailed information and updates to farm loan programs.
Farm Service Agency is an Equal Opportunity Lender. Complaints about discrimination should be sent to: Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Visit the Farm Service Agency Web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov/ for necessary application forms and updates on USDA programs.[[In-content Ad]]

---