Dairy farmers feeling the margin squeeze

Dairy farmers could see margin protection payments as soon as this month as rising feed costs squeeze profitability, making the next few months critical for locking in risk management strategies.

"September, October and November could see potential [Dairy Margin Coverage] payments," said Andy McCarty, dairy business adviser for Land O'Lakes, speaking at the annual Dairy Financial and Risk Conference. "There is a lot of volatility out there."

With that volatility comes opportunity, but only for farmers who understand the expanding toolkit of margin protection programs now available.

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Chris Torres,Editor,American Agriculturist

September 22, 2026