The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces a second round of payments, for dairy producers, through the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP.) Monies provide an additional $5 million to help them mitigate market volatility, higher input and transportation costs, and unstable feed supply and prices, that have created unique hardships in the organic dairy industry. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has already paid out $15 million in the first round of payments for eligible producers. That brings total ODMAP payments to $20 million.
Eligible producers for ODMAP included certified organic dairy operations that produce milk from cows, goats, and sheep.
The second ODMAP payment is automatic. Participating producers do not need to take any additional action. USDA has determined that additional assistance is still needed, and sufficient funding remains available. So, the second round of payments will provide the remaining 25% of requested assistance to each eligible applicant.