The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced expanded enrollment for the 2026 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program.

The DMC program provides dairy farmers with price support to help offset milk and feed price differences.

The enrollment period ends Feb. 26.

“President Trump is making historic investments in the farm safety net, and today’s announcement is one more action that supports our dairy producers by managing risk and strengthening markets so they can continue to provide wholesome nutrition for Americans,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Convention when she announced the enrollment details.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025, reauthorized DMC for calendar years 2026 through 2031 and provided substantial program improvements, including establishing new production history and increasing Tier 1 coverage.

The bill increased DMC’s Tier 1 coverage level from 5 million pounds to 6 million.

All dairy operations that elect to enroll in DMC for 2026 will establish a new production history. Existing dairy operations that started marketing milk on or before Jan. 1, 2023, will use the higher of milk marketings for the years of 2021, 2022 or 2023. New dairy operations starting after Jan. 1, 2023, will use their first year of monthly milk marketings, even for a partial year. Milk marketing statements or production evidence are required to establish a production history.

Dairy operations also have the option to lock in coverage levels for six years (2026-2031), with premium fees discounted by 25%.

DMC offers different levels of coverage, including an option that is free to producers, minus a $100 administrative fee. To determine the appropriate level of DMC coverage for a specific dairy operation, producers can use the online dairy decision tool.

More information on the program is available at the DMC webpage or local USDA Service Centers.