Enrollment for the 2026 Dairy Margin Coverage Program (DMC) is now open, according to an announcement from New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. The program, managed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), offers financial support to dairy farmers when the difference between the national all-milk price and average feed cost drops below a selected coverage level.
Commissioner Ball stated, “Risk management tools are an important part of staying ahead of the many uncertainties our industry faces today – from the weather to market cycles. The Dairy Margin Coverage Program is one of those tools, allowing producers to select the level of protection best suited to their business. I encourage New York dairy farmers to take advantage of this program to help ease some of the economic hardship when margins fluctuate.”
The DMC is available to all commercial dairy operations, regardless of size. Farmers can choose their preferred coverage levels and have an opportunity each year during open enrollment to adjust them as needed.
Enrollment for 2026 will remain open until February 26, 2026. Additional information about enrolling in DMC and locating local USDA Farm Services Agency offices can be found at https://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator.
An online decision tool is also available for dairy producers. This resource allows farmers to estimate which coverage options might offer them the most protection based on current price projections and historical data.
New York has approximately 3,000 dairy farms that collectively produce over 16 billion pounds of milk each year. The state ranks fifth nationally in dairy production. Dairy farming represents New York’s largest agricultural sector and accounts for nearly half its total agricultural receipts.
