Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

01/15/2026 | Press release | Archived content

Virginia Dairy Producer Margin Coverage Premium Assistance Program Now Accepting Applications

January 15, 2026

Virginia Dairy Producer Margin Coverage Premium Assistance Program Now Accepting Applications
Program reimburses annual premium payment for federal Dairy Margin Coverage

The USDA Farm Service Agency has opened enrollment for the 2026 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program until February 26, 2026. This voluntary program provides financial assistance to dairy producers when the margin between the all-milk price and average feed cost falls below the coverage level chosen by the producer.

To aid Virginia dairy producers with enrollment in the federal program, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is currently accepting applications for the Virginia Dairy Producer Margin Coverage Premium Assistance Program. The Virginia program reimburses dairy producers for their USDA Dairy Margin Coverage Program Tier 1 premium payments.

The Virginia Dairy Producer Margin Coverage Premium Assistance Program application period will end on May 15, 2026, or until the program's budgeted funding of $600,000 has been claimed.

To qualify for reimbursement, a Virginia dairy producer must meet the following criteria:

  • Be enrolled in the 2026 DMC at the Tier 1 coverage level AND have paid the annual premium in full. Enrollment for the DMC is open from January 12, 2026, through February 26, 2026.
  • Maintain a grade A milk permit issued by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
  • Be actively producing milk in Virginia at the time of application.
  • Have an active resource or nutrient management plan as approved by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) or a local soil and water conservation district OR have a plan that is under review by DCR or a local soil and water conservation district.
  • Provide a completed and signed Commonwealth of Virginia Substitute W-9 form.

For more information on the Virginia Dairy Producer Margin Coverage Premium Assistance Program or to access the application, please visit https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/smc-dpmc.pdf. Questions regarding the program should be directed to the State Milk Commission at (804) 786-2013 or [email protected].

Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services published this content on January 15, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 19, 2026 at 14:57 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]