Because of the high volatility of milk prices, USDA's Risk Management Agency is modifying the sales period for Dairy Revenue Protection.

Starting June 5, 2020, the sales period will begin no later than 4:30 p.m. Central Time when the coverage prices and rates are published and will end at 9 a.m. Central Time of the following business day or 9 a.m. Central Time on Sunday, whichever is earlier. The next sales period will begin no later than 4:30 p.m. Central Time on the following business day. This change only impacts when milk producers can purchase DRP quarterly endorsements, not the timing of indemnity payments. This modification will also be incorporated into the DRP policy for the 2022 crop year.

“The DRP program is an excellent risk management tool for dairy producers, providing peace of mind during unpredictable market fluctuations such as the dairy industry is experiencing now,” RMA Administrator Martin Barbre said. “USDA wants to be sure that we make the necessary adjustments to ensure that the federal crop insurance program continues to serve the risk management needs of our nation’s producers during this unprecedented time.”

DRP is designed to insure for unexpected declines in the quarterly revenue from milk sales compared with a guaranteed coverage level. The expected revenue is based on futures prices for milk and dairy commodities and the amount of covered milk production elected by the dairy producer. The covered milk production is indexed to the state or region where the dairy producer is located.

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Dairy producers to date have purchased $11.9 billion of 2020 DRP coverage, with premiums totaling $145.9 million. Total current DRP purchases represent over 25% of the milk likely to be produced in the United States in 2020.

For more information about DRP, contact your local crop insurance agent using the RMA Agent Locator.

For updates on available services, visit farmers.gov/coronavirus.

Source: USDA Risk Management Agency, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.