Minnesota Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Joe Martin calls enrollment in the Dairy Margin Coverage program “strong.” As of Monday, the state FSA office has received 1,600 contracts. Martin thinks there could be another thousand dairies enroll before the September 20 deadline. “We’re already delivering payments, about $10 million in assistance to those producers who have signed up,” says Martin. “The vast majority, about 80 percent, are taking the 5-year lock-in coverage at the maximum rate of 95 percent production at $9.50 in tier one. For the dairies that qualify for tier two, the majority are taking 95 percent production at the $4 coverage level.” There is an incentive for Minnesota dairies to sign-up for the Dairy Margin Coverage program. “The Minnesota Legislature appropriated about $8 to $9 million in direct financial assistance. When farmers come to the FSA office, they’ll enroll in the program and we’ll provide the form for the state.” Learn more about the Dairy Margin Coverage program and listen to the story.