USDA supports organic dairy with payments

Second Round of ODMAP Payments Announced for 2024

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a second round of payments under the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP) 2024. This funding, totalling $8.7 million, aims to support organic dairy producers as they face market volatility, rising input costs, and unstable feed supply prices. These challenges have created significant hardships for the organic dairy industry.

In the first round, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) distributed $23 million to eligible producers. With this new funding, total ODMAP payments for 2024 have reached over $31 million. The program provides much-needed financial assistance to help producers remain operational during challenging market conditions.

“This funding gives organic dairy producers critical support as they continue to weather a combination of challenges outside of their control,” said Kelly Adkins, FSA State Executive Director in Texas.

The ODMAP 2024 applications, accepted between September 30 and December 13, offer one-time cost-share payments. These payments are calculated based on a producer’s 2023 marketing costs or estimated 2024 costs for operations with increased milk production.

ODMAP provides vital financial relief, ensuring that organic dairy operations can remain sustainable until market conditions stabilize. This initiative reflects USDA’s commitment to supporting organic dairy producers and maintaining the viability of the industry in the face of ongoing challenges.