Sioux City Times

U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra, along with U.S. Representative Brad Finstad, has written a letter to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, and the Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency, Zach Ducheneaux, urging the Biden administration to open the sign-up period for Iowa dairy farmers to enroll in the 2024 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program. The DMC program is an essential risk management tool for American dairy farmers.

In the letter, the lawmakers emphasize the importance of programs like DMC in providing certainty during unstable economic conditions. They highlight the challenges faced by dairy farmers in 2023, including high input costs, inflation, and unpredictable weather conditions. The DMC program helped hedge risks during a year when margins for dairy producers were at their smallest since the program's inception.

The lawmakers express concern over the delay in opening the sign-up period for the DMC program in 2024. They stress the need for transparency and communication from the USDA as the enrollment period continues to be delayed. This delay, coupled with the inherent unpredictability of the industry, is worrisome for the farm economy and the constituents represented by Feenstra and Finstad.

Feenstra, a strong supporter of the dairy industry, has been actively advocating for its interests. He recently voted for the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which aims to allow schools to serve nutritious whole milk to students. Feenstra has also spoken out against Canada's tariff-rate quota, which unfairly restricts American dairy products from accessing Canadian markets and violates the spirit of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

The full letter can be found on Feenstra's official website.

This letter reflects the concerns and priorities of Iowa dairy farmers, who rely on programs like the DMC to navigate market uncertainty and protect their livelihoods. The Biden administration is urged to swiftly open the sign-up period for the DMC program in order to provide much-needed support to these farmers and rural communities.

The dairy industry plays a vital role in feeding and fueling the world, and it is crucial that dairy farmers have the necessary risk management tools to succeed.