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Dairy Options Pilot Program
The program was operated to fund milk put options purchases for dairy producers in 38 counties in a total of seven States during the original Round of DOPP (Round I).
The program operated between 6 to 8 months in each State.
For Round II, the program was expanded to include 61 new counties and included a total of 32 States.
None of the original (Round I) counties were chosen to participate in Round II of the program.
DOPP Round III was piloted in 275 counties and 39 states during FY 2001.
An additional 25 counties were chosen by the Secretary of Agriculture for implementation during FY 2002.
Counties from Rounds I, II, and III are included in the 300 total counties in 40 states during FY 2002 because DOPP will continue to operate in these counties, as directed by Congress.
Established in 1862, the Department of Agriculture serves all Americans through anti-hunger efforts, stewardship of nearly 200 million acres of national forest and rangelands, and through product safety and conservation efforts. The USDA opens markets for American farmers and ranchers and provides food for needy people around the world.
Program Accomplishments
In DOPP Round I, 1,450 dairy producers were trained; 428 of those dairy producers bought 1,700 milk put options. During DOPP Round II, 1,226 dairy producers were trained; 129 of those dairy producers bought 310 milk put options due to low prices. An increased number of dairy producers attended training during Round III; 790 of those dairy producers bought 2,816 milk put options.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Funds will be used to share the cost of premium for 'put' options purchased by DOPP participants and for a portion of the brokers' fees to conduct and execute transactions.
Funds may be used to purchase only 'put' options on milk futures contracts.
Other discretionary expenses will be incurred by RMA to operate the program such as those associated with the DOPP's required training sessions.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
To be eligible for any benefits under this program, applicants must be dairy farmers (i.e., an individual, entity, or joint operation, which as owner, operator, landlord, tenant, or sharecropper is entitled to share in the production available for marketing from the dairy farm, or share in the proceeds thereof) who: (1) Are eligible for a production flexibility contract, a marketing assistance loan or any other assistance under Title I of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996; (2) volunteer to participate in this program; (3) operate a dairy farm located in a county selected for the pilot program; and (4) have documented production history of at least 100,000 pounds of production over any consecutive 6-month period during the most recent 12 months.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Dairy farmers.
Credentials/Documentation
Dairy farmers must certify that they are eligible for the DOPP and that their farm produced at least 100,000 pounds of milk over a consecutive 6-month period during the most recent 12 months.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
The DOPP application and participation agreement materials include Form CCC-320 and a brochure explaining DOPP, along with instructions.
Consultation or assistance is available from RMA and from extension agents to aid in preparing these forms.
No informal preapplication consultation is necessary.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
The DOPP application materials will be mailed to producers in counties where the program operates.
Award Procedures
Each round of the program will last up to 12 months for each participant and operate for up to 3 years in each pilot county.
Deadlines
Farmers have one month after the county official training date to return their signed application and a copy of their production records to RMA.
Authorization
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, Title I; Agricultural Market Transition Act, Subtitle H, Public Law 104-127; Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000, Public Law 106-224.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Farmers should expect a response within 3 weeks of RMA's receipt of their applications.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
The program has no statutory formula. The proposed cost-sharing arrangement between RMA and participating dairy farmers calls for RMA to pay for 80 percent of premiums and up to $30 in broker fees for each options contract purchased under the DOPP. The farmer pays for 20 percent of the premium and any broker fees in excess of $30 per contract. This program has no matching requirements for State and local governments.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
This assistance is available to farmers in selected counties from the date application materials are mailed to farmers in those counties until all options have been liquidated. All DOPP options must be purchased within 4 months of the date of the training session in each county. The assistance is paid to the farmer's broker on behalf of the farmer on a transaction-by- transaction basis.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
None.
Audits
RMA's Office of Risk Compliance will conduct random audits of participating producers' and brokers' trading activity to verify compliance with the DOPP agreements.
Records
None.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-4336-0-3-351.
Obigations
(Direct payments) FY 07 $0; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
None.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Brochure - "Got Options? Announcing the Dairy Options Pilot Program".
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Risk Management Agency, Stop #0808, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250. Contact: Lee Ziegler, Telephone: (202) 690-0520. Fax: (202) 690-3605. E-mail: rma.options@wdc.usda.gov.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
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