North Carolina dairy producers are invited to a meeting about the federal Margin Protection Program at 10 a.m. Oct. 1 at the Iredell County Agricultural Resource Center in Statesville. Registration deadline is Sept. 26.
The USDA Farm Service Agency is organizing the meeting, and FSA personnel will explain the mechanics of the program. Dr. Geoff Benson, a retired NCSU extension economist, will discuss how dairy producers should approach decisions about participation and the potential financial benefits. There also will be time for questions and discussion.
People planning to attend are asked to contact the Iredell County FSA office at 704-872-5061, ext. 2. The Iredell County Agricultural Resource Center is located at 444 Bristol Drive, Statesville.
The 2014 farm bill established the Dairy Margin Protection Program as a replacement for the Milk Income Loss Contract Program. The MPP is effective through Dec. 31, 2018. For a $100 administrative fee, dairy producers can have access to no-cost catastrophic coverage. The program also offers various levels of buy-up coverage.