Spanberger Reminds Central Virginia Dairy Producers to Sign Up for Dairy Margin Coverage Program by Friday

Sep 18, 2019
Agriculture
Local Issues
Press

The Congresswoman is Encouraging Area Farmers to Take Advantage of the Benefits of the USDA Program, Which Offers Protections for Dairy Producers against Low Milk Prices

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger—a Member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee—is encouraging Central Virginia dairy farmers to sign up for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program before the application process closes on Friday, September 20, 2019.

Central Virginia dairy farmers can apply for the DMC program at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. Click here for additional information on the DMC program, which was authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill to help dairy producers survive unpredictable and volatile changes to milk and feed prices. Click here to locate your region’s FSA office.

“Last month, I met with many Central Virginia dairy producers as part of my Farm Tour across the Seventh District—and they described the huge financial challenges they face on a day-to-day basis as they try to stay afloat, manage production costs, and ultimately succeed. As our dairy farmers continue to grapple with market instability and low prices, I’m encouraging producers in our area to sign up now for coverage options through the DMC program,” said Spanberger. “This program provides an improved dairy safety net for our Central Virginia farmers as they develop a strategy for long-term survival in an uncertain farm economy. Following the sign-up deadline, I’ll be urging Secretary Perdue to make sure payments are distributed in a timely manner—and I’ll keep working to amplify the voices of Central Virginia farmers, livestock producers, and agribusinesses through my platform on the House Agriculture Committee.”

Over the last 10 years, the United States has lost over one-third of licensed dairy farms. Earlier this year, Spanberger and a bipartisan group of her colleagues urged USDA to prioritize swift implementation of the improved DMC program, especially as dairy farms continue to close and consolidate in Central Virginia and across the country.

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, approximately 71 percent of American dairy producers with previous FSA production have already enrolled in USDA’s DMC program as the sign-up deadline approaches.

In March, Spanberger sent letters to Central Virginia dairy producers to update them on the delayed implementation of the program—and she has continued to communicate with them about the status of the program.

###

Recent Posts


Oct 30, 2024
Healthcare

Spanberger Seeks Additional Answers from DEA, FDA on Efforts to Stop Ongoing ADHD Medication Shortages

The Congresswoman Has Consistently Pressed the Federal Government to Take Additional Steps to Protect Access to ADHD Medications & Work with Manufacturers to Prevent Future Shortages WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger is urging the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide additional answers on their work to end […]



Oct 30, 2024
Infrastructure

Spanberger Announces More Than $9.6 Million for Infrastructure Upgrades at FBI Academy in Quantico

These Federal Grant Dollars — Made Possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — Will Upgrade Infrastructure & Increase Energy Efficiency at FBI Academy Dormitory WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded a total of $9,615,430 for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to make […]



Oct 29, 2024
Infrastructure

Spanberger Announces $380 Million for Virginia Port Authority to Fund Zero-Emissions Equipment & Infrastructure at Port of Virginia

These Federal Grant Dollars — Made Possible by the Inflation Reduction Act — Will Help the Virginia Port Authority Fund Electric Cargo Handling Equipment, Charging Infrastructure, & Battery Energy Storage System WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded a total of $380 million for […]