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by Minnesota Milk Producers Association on Apr 28, 2026 6:13:19 PM
April 28, 2026
ST PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Milk Producers Association is celebrating passage of legislation updating the Dairy Assistance, Investment and Relief Initiative, known as the DAIRI program, to ensure more Minnesota dairy farmers can access important financial assistance.
The bill modifies eligibility requirements for the state-funded program, which provides supplemental financial support to dairy farmers who voluntarily enroll in the federal Dairy Margin Coverage program. Dairy Margin Coverage, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency, helps protect dairy farmers when the margin between milk prices and feed costs declines.
The updated legislation addresses an unintended gap in current law that excluded newer dairy farms or farms that only operated for part of 2022. Previous eligibility standards relied on 2022 milk production history, preventing approximately 30 Minnesota dairy farms that began operating after 2022, or were not fully operating that year, from qualifying for assistance.
With passage of the bill, those farms will now be eligible for DAIRI payments based on production history established through their Dairy Margin Coverage enrollment rather than 2022 production records. The measure also allows any remaining unencumbered funds after June 30, 2026, to be used for similar authorized purposes under the program.
“This is a commonsense fix that ensures dairy farmers are treated fairly and that newer operations are not left behind simply because they were not milking in 2022,” said Garrett Luthens, president of the Minnesota Milk Producers Association and a Minnesota dairy farmer. “Minnesota dairy farmers continue to invest in their farms, families and rural communities. This update recognizes that growth and helps make sure these farms have access to the same tools and support as others across the state.”
The DAIRI program was originally funded in 2023, with appropriations later shifted to fiscal year 2025. Following legislative adjustments this year, $3 million remains available to support participating dairy farmers.
“This legislation strengthens the program and helps ensure available funds reach the farmers they were intended to support,” Luthens said.
The Minnesota Milk Producers Association thanks lawmakers, including bill authors Rep. Nathan Nelson and Sen. Kupec, who worked to advance the measure and reaffirmed their commitment to policies that support a strong and growing dairy industry in Minnesota.
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About Minnesota Milk:
Minnesota Milk Producers Association is the Minnesota dairy industry’s leading grassroots organization. Its strength comes from members working together and focusing on three key areas: policy, education and membership. By focusing on these areas, the organization will advance the success of Minnesota’s dairy producers. More information: www.mnmilk.org.