Wisconsin Tweaks Dairy Insurance Program

Wisconsin lawmakers have tweaked a federal price insurance program following criticism from dairy farmers.

The La Crosse Tribune reports the Margin Protection Program for Dairy allows farmers to buy insurance that pays out when the cost to produce milk becomes too close to milk’s selling price.

But Wisconsin dairy farmers say the program doesn’t fully account for feed, supplements and transportation costs.

More than 6,500 dairy farmers signed up for the program in its first year, but participation fell to less than 5,300 last year, with most farmers buying coverage for when margins fell below $4.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin introduced changes to the program that would lower the cost of premiums for small- and medium-sized producers. Farmers are now also allowed to participate in other risk management programs.