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Dairy producers have options

An Ohio State University dairy markets and policy specialist says the new Margin Protection Program (MPP) for dairy farmers is just one of several options available.

But Cameron Thraen, an associate professor in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics (AEDE) says there’s no rush to make a decision, because once you’re in, you’re in.

“It is kind of like a flytrap, once you’re in you can’t get out until the end of the Farm Bill,” Thraen said.

To help dairy producers, Dr. Thraen was on the team of researchers that developed the Margin Protection Program (MPP) online tool, a tool that Dr. Thraen says is easy to use.

“There’s one number they need to know, they enter that number into the software, from that point on they can identify the anticipated outcome of the decisions they would make if they are enrolled in and participating in the Margin Protection Program,” said the Ohio State University dairy economist.

The Margin Protection Program online tool is available here.

Audio: Cameron Thraen, dairy economist, Ohio State University (20:10 mp3)