6 February 2026

Headlines

• UGA Ag Forecast: '26 to be Challenging; Gelber Named Farmer of the Year
• Texas Governor Issues Disaster Declaration over Screwworm
• Risk Management Advisor Says Get DMC
• The 2026 Dairy Outlook: Navigating Volatility, Genetics, and the Beef-On-Dairy Revolution
• Dairy’s Future Bright, But Present Needs Matter
• USDA to Release Flies near US-Mexico Border to Fight Screwworm Pest
• Joint Statement from NMPF and USDEC on USDA Food For Peace Funding Allocations
• US Ag Leaders Want India Trade Agreement Details
• Former Ag Leaders Warn of “Collapse” of US Agriculture
• New World Screwworm Detected in Florida
• GLP-1: A New Demand Driver for the Dairy Case
• New Ag Coalition Calls for USMCA Renewal 
• What the Treasury’s Announcement on 45Z Tax Credits Means to Farmers 
• The 11th-Hour Trigger: December DMC Delivers the Only Payment of 2025
• From Field to Kickoff: Where Super Bowl Foods Begin

Reminder: Dairy Margin Coverage Enrollment Open Until Feb. 26th

Dairy farmers can sign up for the Dairy Margin Coverage Program (DMC) now until 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.

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).

We acknowledge that this grant will require a lot of paperwork and a lot of time to complete. GDA has worked with GEMA to extend the deadline for this funding opportunity to March 9, 2026. Please take a look at the application materials linked below. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Bryce Trotter (bryce@gamilk.org, 229-221-3906) or Bethany Dyer (bethany@gamilk.org, 770-324-1260) to set up a Zoom call to discuss the components of the application.

How Will the Grant Work?

The Georgia Department of Agriculture will apply for funds for critical agricultural infrastructure (which includes dairy farms per GDA) through GEMA. GEMA is granted funding every year from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to prepare for natural disasters. These Hazard Mitigation grants are designed to be proactive in nature by enabling critical infrastructure to operate after a major weather event. If approved by both GDA and GEMA, a dairy farm could receive a 75/25 cost share where the farm is required to cover only 25% of the purchase and installation costs for new generators.

Dairy Farms Will Be Required to:

• Agree to a maintenance plan and on-farm inspections to ensure the farm is following the maintenance plan for the generator
• Provide attestation that the farm can fund the mandatory 25% cost share
• Complete the full application and supplement forms (linked below)
• Agree to various terms and conditions as outlined by FEMA, GEMA, and GDA

What is in the application:

• A cover letter addressed to the Georgia Department of Agriculture and Commissioner Tyler J. Harper that includes
• The total budget request (any pre-award costs such as electrician costs to prepare for installation may be included but listed separately as “pre-award” reimbursement)
• Acknowledgment that the producer must follow a written maintenance plan
• Acknowledgement of the 25% cost share requirement
• A Budget outlining costs of purchasing and installing a generator
• Purchase price of generator
• Costs of installing transfer switch
• Costs of installing a fuel tank
• Costs of earthwork and installing concrete pad for fixed generators
• Quotes from vendors to support prices in the budget
• Information about previous power outages from major weather events
• A pre-application packet including:
• A detailed map show where the generator will be stored/located on the property (and photos of the location)
• Information about whether the location of the generator will be in a floodplain
• Ground disturbance information if earthwork is required for installation as well as dimensions for any concrete work
• Fuel storage and spill clean up plans
• Letter of support from the local Emergency Management Authority

• Generator Application Checklist
• Generator Ground Disturbance Information
• Pre-Application for Generator
• Generator Data Sheet
• SF424D-2025 Construction Assurances
• SF424B-2025 Non-Construction Assurances

GMP Associate Memberships are Open for the 2026-2027 Year

Associate Memberships provide associated industry with the chance to connect with thought-leaders and dairy leaders in Georgia, opportunities to promote brands in front of farmers, and provides opportunities to network and engage with our farmer-members and the associated dairy industry at several events throughout the year. GMP also offers Associate Memberships to out-of-state dairy producers, GA heifer & calf growers, and GA livestock producers. By partnering with us in membership, you are supporting the future of Georgia’s dairy industry.

To learn about our different Associate Member Levels and see the benefits included with each, visit our website here.

GMP's Associate Membership Program is open for registration for the upcoming year! Since memberships run from March 1 through February 28th of the following year, this month is the perfect time to sign up if you're interested in supporting the Georgia dairy industry year-round.

If you are interested in becoming an Associate Member or have any questions, please reach out to bethany@gamilk.org.

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 10 - Georgia Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol

Georgia State Capitol - Atlanta, GA

February 16 - February Florida Snowbirds - The 2026 Dairy Old Timer’s Breakfast

O’Brien’s Irish Pub - Brandon, FL - Register and Learn More

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

March 9 - Deadline for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

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

Until Next Time,

GMP