Dairy Farmers Call for Updated Margin Program in Next Farm Bill

Dairy Farmers Advocate for Program Updates

A sixth-generation dairy farmer has voiced concerns that the current Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program is outdated and fails to represent the true scale of milk production today. In a recent testimony before the Senate Agriculture Committee, Harold Howrigan from Vermont emphasized the need for revisions in the next farm bill to better support dairy producers across the United States.

Seeking Representation of Actual Production Levels

Howrigan criticized the program's benchmarks for being nearly 15 years old, highlighting that the average dairy farm now produces between seven and eight million pounds of milk annually. The current program only accounts for a five-million-pound production level, which does not reflect the industry's growth and efficiency strides.

Industry Leaders Support Change

Dairy Farmers of America, a leading industry group, concurs with Howrigan's sentiment and argues for a more accurate representation of average farm sizes. They believe updating the production levels in the DMC program will help farmers to manage costs and production more effectively.

The call for updates comes as the dairy industry faces stagnant pricing and the pressure to enhance efficiency and scale, making program adjustments a key focus for stakeholders in the upcoming legislative discussions.