U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins shared a message of support for dairy farmers during her stop at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin on Wednesday. And while there, she also announced a reauthorized Dairy Margin Coverage enrollment, dairy innovation funding, and the importance of farmers telling their stories.
Her initial message was direct.
“My commitment to you is, we’ll never stop fighting for you,” Rollins said.
She also encouraged farmers to advocate for themselves by sharing their experiences with lawmakers.
“You are the ones who can tell the story,” she said. “There is no one more compelling than a farmer who walks in and talks to an elected official about the challenges they are facing.”
LISTEN to the complete news conference recorded by the Mid-West Farm Report team at World Dairy Expo here:
Dairy Margin Coverage enrollment opens October 7
Rollins highlighted the DMC program, with enrollment for 2027 scheduled to open October 7 and continue through Dec. 18.
The program is being reauthorized through 2031. Changes include an additional 1 million pounds of milk eligible for higher Tier 1 coverage and a 25% premium reduction for producers securing coverage through 2031.
More than 13,500 dairy farmers participated through 2026, with payments exceeding $98 million nationwide, including about $23 million in Wisconsin.
“We know that’s a very, very important program for our dairy farmers,” Rollins said, pointing to the protection it provides against factors outside producers’ control.
You can read more about DMC in this article from the UW-Madison Extension here.
Nearly $13 million for dairy innovation
Rollins also announced nearly $13 million forDairy Business Innovation initiatives across four regional centers, including the University of Wisconsin.
The program supports small and medium-sized dairy businesses with areas such as product development, marketing, and business planning. Rollins emphasized the importance of the program for smaller operations.
“The difference that program makes to our small and medium-sized dairy farmers just cannot be overstated,” she said.
(Photo: Ag Secretary Rollins addresses the media at the 2026 World Dairy Expo.)
Rollins addresses dairy challenges
During a media Q&A, Rollins also addressed workforce issues, trade, and beef-on-dairy markets.
She acknowledged the challenges facing dairy producers as they balance farm profitability with consumer food costs.
Rollins said strengthening dairy markets, expanding exports, and investing in processing will be important parts of the industry’s future. She ended by again encouraging farmers to stay involved.
“I can only tell this story so much. You are the ones who can tell the story,” Rollins said.
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