Deadline for dairy farmer price protection program extended to Dec. 19

The deadline for Vermont dairy farmers to enroll in a new price protection program has been extended to Dec. 19.

The Margin Protection Program is a voluntary insurance program that enables dairy farmers to protect themselves when prices fall.

The program buffers farmers when the difference between milk prices and feed costs falls below an amount selected by the farmer. Minimum coverage costs $100.

The deadline to enroll was Friday but Vermont's congressional delegation said Thursday that the date has been extended by two weeks.

Farmers can sign up through the nine Farm Service Agency offices across the state. They're also encouraged to go online and use the Web tool to find the best levels of coverage at www.fsa.usda.gov/mpptool.

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Information from: The Burlington Free Press, http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com