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Vilsack on regional approach to MPP

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says Congress will need to approach farm programs differently when working on the 2018 Farm Bill.  One example, is the dairy Margin Protection Program (MPP), “I understand and appreciate that there are certain circumstances and situations across the country where the program may not be working as well for some producers as others. I think the reason for that is that we have a national program that is not necessarily tailored to the regional challenges of individual producers.”

Vilsack says the current 2014 Farm Bill was begun by Congress with the desire to save money, “Hopefully, in 2018, with prices being what they are that the conversation will be, ‘What is the need and how can we creatively meet that need?’”

Vilsack tells Brownfield Ag News it would help the Margin Protection Program if Congress takes a more regional approach, “One thing that might help is to take a look at the regional feed cost differential that occurs from state to state and region to region. That might provide some additional assistance.”

Farmers can calculate their best levels of coverage with the USDA Farm Service Agency’s MPP Tool.  Vilsack has extended the MPP signup for producers until December 16th – and a recent cheese purchase by the USDA is expected to provide some price relief.