The dairy title in the new farm bill is being called a victory for small dairy farms. The new Dairy Margin Coverage expands margin protection coverage up to $9.50 per hundredweight on a farm’s first five million pounds of production. There’s more flexibility in the program with reduced premium costs. Associated Milk Producers Incorporated Chairman Steve Schlangen, who was part of the farm bill event, says this program is good news for dairy farmers and rural communities. “For producers with five million pounds of production and under, their banker will know that if they take care of their operation that they’ll be alright because they’ve got this coverage that will protect them.” Schlangen says the dairy industry was unified in its approach to this farm bill. It was a completely different situation five years ago. “There was so much division between the National Milk Producers (Federation) and the International Dairy Foods Association and when that happens, it is hard for Congress to come an agreement on anything. This year, the dairy industry was united and I think that’s why we ended up getting what we got.” Schlangen acknowledged Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson for his work on the dairy title.
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