DMC Program Enrollment

DMC Program Enrollment

USDA has opened the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program for enrollment for eligible producers. Visit your local Farm Service Agency to sign up between January 12 and February 26, 2026.  UNC Dairy will send updated production history to members by US Mail to assist with sign-up as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduced several improvements to DMC.  Key changes include:

• New Production History: For 2026, all participating operations will establish production history based on the highest annual milk production from 2021, 2022, or 2023. Previous history (2014–2025) will no longer apply.

• New Operations: USDA will clarify how operations that began marketing milk after Jan 1, 2023 can establish history.

• Tier Coverage: Beginning in 2026, the first 6 million pounds will be eligible for Tier 1 coverage; additional production falls under Tier 2. Premium rates remain unchanged.

• One-Time Election: For 2026 only, operations may lock in coverage level and percentage for six years (2026–2031) and receive a 25% premium discount.

Additional changes address joint ventures, intergenerational transfers, and administrative requirements.  USDA will also host stakeholder webinars in the coming weeks to explain these updates.

Click below to view the USDA’s DMC Tool.

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