Enrollment for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program is now open with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). Since September, we have coordinated
with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the state FSA to ensure a smooth rollout of Minnesota’s Dairy Assistance, Investment, and Relief Initiative (DAIRI) program that piggy-backs on the DMC program.
Here is everything you need to know regarding the current law and the DAIRI program:
Deadlines and How to Apply
Initial Deadline: Applications for DAIRI are being accepted through March 19, 2026 by MDA (unless the FSA extends the DMC signup deadline). The online application is open now.
Requirement: To be eligible for DAIRI, farmers must first sign up for a five-year DMC contract.
Existing Farms: Per the 2023 law, payments will be based on 2022 production levels.
New Farms: We are working to update state policy so that new farms (those not marketing milk for all of 2022) can use their FSA-established production history for eligibility and payments.
Funding & Policy Goals
Current Budget: MDA currently has $3 million available for DAIRI.
Our Goal: We are advocating to restore the DAIRI funding level to the original $8 million appropriation before the legislature cut DAIRI funding last year.
Production Caps: Farmers above 16 million pounds are not eligible for the state DAIRI program. At the federal level, tier 1 is increasing to 6 million pounds, from 5 million pounds.
We will keep you updated as we work with the state on these policy shifts.
Immigration resources for Voice of Milk members
Source: Voice of Milk
With the increased focus on immigration enforcement, we want to share the resources that we have compiled and encourage you to establish a plan for your farm and employees. We've compiled these resources to help you stay informed about your rights, your employees' rights and proactively establish a farm plan. Visit our website below.
Meet your Minnesota Milk Board of Directors nominees
Source: Minnesota Milk
We’re excited to introduce this year’s board nominees: Kate Minten, Tom Walsh and Jacob Twohey. Minnesota Milk voting members will receive their official ballot in the mail soon.
Ballots may be submitted by email to lucas@mnmilk.org or mailed to:
Minnesota Milk Producers Association PO Box 65 Brooten, MN 56316
Please return your completed ballot by February 20, 2026.
Register now for our 2026 Annual meeting & Dairy Day at the Capitol
Source: Minnesota Milk
Minnesota dairy farmers and allied businesses are invited to join us at our Annual Dairy Day at the Capitol event on February 24 and 25! Our members meet with legislators to share their stories and advocate for Minnesota dairy.
Learn more about these events as well as sponsorship opportunities below!
USDA announces over $11 million awarded to support the U.S dairy industry
Source: USDA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is awarding more than $11 million in grant funding to support dairy businesses and producers through the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBI) grant program. The initiatives support small and mid-sized dairy businesses in the development, production, marketing, and distribution of dairy products.
The state of the U.S. economy will be a major focus in 2026 ahead of the midterm elections. We will hear a lot about it in the political rhetoric, but economic conditions meaningfully influence consumer behavior too, including dairy demand.
The new dairy math: Why beef and components are redefining the milk check
Source: Dairy Herd Management
The equation is changing: high-value beef, record components and $11 billion in new plants are redefining the milk check. Curtis Bosma explains how modern producers stay profitable in a volatile market.
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