Starting next Wednesday, dairy producers will be able to enroll for 2024 Dairy Margin Coverage, a safety net program offered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture that provides producers with price support to help offset milk and feed price differences.

This year’s signup begins Feb. 28 and ends April 29. For those who sign up for 2024 DMC coverage, payments may begin as soon as March 4, 2024, for any payments that triggered in January 2024.

DMC offers different levels of coverage, even an option that is free to producers, minus a $100 administrative fee. The administrative fee is waived for dairy producers who are considered limited resource, beginning, socially disadvantaged, or a military veteran.

To determine the appropriate level of DMC coverage for a specific dairy operation, producers can use the online dairy decision tool.