Feds: Local talks will explain new dairy program

Sept. 13--Area dairy farmers are being encouraged by officials to find out more at upcoming meetings about the new dairy risk-management program included in the recently passed federal Farm Bill.

Sign-up began Sept. 2 and ends Nov. 28 for the voluntary plan. The program provides payments to those enrolled when the difference between the national average for milk, set by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, and the national average feed costs fall below a certain amount selected by the farmer, according to a media release from Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.

The program replaces the Milk Income Loss Contract. Schumer, who voted for the farm bill, said the system will more accurately factor in the price of feed, the largest expense for dairy farmers, and its impact on profit margins.

"This new dairy risk-management program will be an improvement over the previous system, which did not adequately will protect farmers from volatile milk prices and feed costs," Schumer said. "I urge dairy farmers across the state to sign up."

In Delaware County, a two-hour statewide webinar on the program sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension, with questions and answers with the Farm Service Agency, will take place Sept. 23; at 10 a.m. at the Cooperative Extension building on state Route 10 in Hamden, and at 7 p.m. at the USDA Service Center/Watershed Agricultural Program building at 44 West Street in Walton. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County educator Mariane Kiraly said she is working with county FSA Executive Director Brian Sheridan on a total of six workshops.

Besides the two on Sept. 23, talks are scheduled in Delhi on Oct. 15, Davenport on Oct. 21, Sidney on Oct. 23 and Andes Oct. 29. It's up to the individual farmers to decide whether they need the margin protection safety net the program provides, she said.

It costs $100 annually to participate. That fee automatically enrolls participants in catastrophic level ($4) margin protection insurance. Producers can purchase up to $8 coverage.

Kiraly compared it to crop insurance. The sessions are an important tool to help farmers make an informed decision, she said.

At Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie and Otsego Counties, agricultural program leader David Cox said farmers can attend the statewide webinars Sept 23 at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 7 p.m. in Otsego County at the Cooperstown Cooperative Extension office and in Schoharie County at the FSA office in Schoharie.

Sessions will also be held at the same times at the Cooperative Extension of Chenango in Norwich. They will explain how the new program works, with information coming from experts, Cox said.

Bloomville dairy farmer Barbara Hanselman said she plans on going to one of the upcoming Delaware county sessions. She said it'simportant for her to better understand the program and get her questions answered.

In the current world market "this kind of program is valuable," she added.

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