19 February 2026

Headlines

• Senate Republicans Rally Behind USMCA Even as Trump Support Waivers
• Trump Signs an Executive Order Quadrupling Beef Imports from Argentina to Keep Ground Beef Affordable 
• Dairy Farmers of America to Receive up to $46M Grant from USDA
• USDA Issues $1.89 Billion in Emergency Livestock Relief Program Payments to Farmers
• NMPF Statement on House Farm Bill Proposal
•  Beef Prices Will Continue to Rein in Milk Cow Numbers
• Precision Dairy Technology Adoption
• The Kansas Surge: How Processing Capacity is Redrawing the Dairy Map
• Screwworm on the Move: Officials on the Case
• Agriculture Industry Reacts to House Ag Committee’s ‘Farm Bill 2.0’ Draft
• Congress Must Address Farm Labor Crisis

Last Call for Dairy Margin Coverage Enrollment

Sign up for the Dairy Margin Coverage Program (DMC) is available until next week on Feb 26, 2026. The program allows producers to purchase coverage against USDA FSA’s calculated margin between all-milk price (calculated by FSA) and a representative feed costs including corn, soybean meal, and premium alfalfa hay. 

Changes to the program will allow producers to establish updated production histories for the highest of years 2021, 2022, or 2023, purchase Tier 1 (reduced premiums) coverage for up to 6 million lbs., and allow producers to purchase catastrophic coverage for milk above the 6 million lbs. Tier 1 cap while selecting higher coverage for the first 6 million lbs. Under Tier 1. To sign up for DMC visit your local FSA Service Center by February 26.

Agriculture Scholarship Opportunities for Students

Scholarship deadlines for the 2026-2027 school year are approaching fast. If you know a high school senior or current college student, be sure to share these agriculture and/or dairy related scholarships! Click on the title below to learn more about each scholarship and apply. 

GFB Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Scholarship

• Open to high school seniors, rising junior or seniors in college, and technical college students
• Application deadline: March 1st, 2026

Ag Futures of America Scholarship

• Open to seniors and undergraduates
• Application deadline: March 6th, 2026

Georgia Development Authority

• Open to high school seniors or college freshmen
• Must be a Georgia resident and live in a rural county
• Application deadline: May 4th, 2026

USDA Issued Final ELRP Payments for 2023 & 2024

(Washington, D.C., February 13, 2026) - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced on February 13th, 2026 U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has issued final Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments totaling more than $1.89 billion. Eligible applicants who applied for ELRP 2023 and 2024 Flood and Wildfire (ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW) assistance will receive 100% of their eligible calculated payment in a single lump sum. USDA is also making a second payment to producers who previously received their initial factored payment for ELRP 2023 and 2024 assistance for losses due to eligible drought and wildfires.

ELRP Flood and Wildfire (Wildfire Losses on Non-Federally Managed Lands)

After assessing ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW applications, FSA determined that a payment factor is not needed. Producers with approved ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW applications are receiving 100% of their calculated payment in a single lump sum, totaling $604 million in recovery assistance.

Payment Limit

ELRP 2023 and 2024 and ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW have a combined payment limit of $125,000 for each program year. Producers who already received the maximum payment amount from ELRP 2023 and 2024 for drought and wildfire losses will not be eligible to receive an additional payment. Eligible producers may submit form FSA-510, Request for an Exception to the $125,000 Payment Limitation for Certain Programs, by Nov. 2, 2026, to be considered for an increased payment limit of $250,000.

Read the full press release from USDA HERE.

Crop & Livestock Field Day

Join Tuskegee University’s Extension Program on Wednesday, March 25th for a field day highlighting how to use winter annuals for silage and grazing. Registration is free. Register by March 15th by scanning the QR code below to secure your spot. Lunch will be provided. 

Southeastern Food and Farm Veterinary Summit

The Southeastern Food and Farm Veterinary Summit (SEVS) is an annual conference, hosted by the Georgia and Alabama Veterinary Medical Associations, that brings together experts and professionals from the veterinary and agriculture industries. The Summit focuses on the latest research, trends, and best practices related to animal health, food safety, and sustainable agriculture.

Details: 

• March 6-8, 202
• Pine Mountain, Georgia
• Early Bird Registration has been extended to February 20th.
• View the program here.
• Register and learn more here.
• To book your hotel, click here.

Hazard Mitigation Generator Grant Opportunity

Georgia dairy farmers may have the opportunity to receive cost-share funding for the purchase of emergency generators. In partnership with the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), GMP has been working to find additional resources for dairy farms that are impacted by major weather events like Hurricane Helene in 2024. The Emergency Management division of GDA is seeking applications from Georgia dairy farmers to apply for assistance through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program through the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA).

This grant will require a lot of paperwork and time to complete. GDA has worked with GEMA to extend the deadline for this funding opportunity to March 9, 2026. If you are are interested in learning more or applying, reach out to Bryce Trotter (bryce@gamilk.org, 229-221-3906) or Bethany Dyer (bethany@gamilk.org, 770-324-1260) as soon as possible to set up a Zoom call to discuss the components of the application.

GMP Classifieds

PARLOR EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

Robot Dairy Selling Conventional Parlor Equipment:

• 3" lowline for double 12 parlor
• DeLaval MPCs
• pulsators
• MC30 claws with 06 shells
• MM27 Milk meters
• power supply boxes
• vertical wash vat with KOM controller.



All in good working order. Call: 706.831.7738

Want to showcase your business to dairy producers and industry professionals across the Southeast and US? Email info@gamilk.org to learn more about how you can advertise in the GMP E-News.

Calendar of Events

February 20 - LPELC Webinar for Continuing Education

Register here

February 24-25 - Kentucky Dairy Conference

Bowling Green, KY- Register and learn more here

March 4 - Deadline for SDBII Farm Infrastructure Improvement Grant & Precision Technology and Management Grant

March 6-8 - Southeastern Food and Farm Veterinary Summit

Pine Mountain, GA - Register and learn more here

March 9 - Deadline for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

March 12 - Steak Biscuit Day at the Capitol with Georgia Cattlemen's Association

March 25 - Crop and Livestock Field Day

Cusseta, AL - Register here

March 27 - GDYF Golf Tournament

Hard Labor Creek State Park, Social Circle, GA

Until Next Time,

GMP