Reauthorization of Dairy Forward Pricing Program

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service 7 CFR Part 1145 [Doc. No. AMS-DA-25-0782] RIN 0581-AE53 ( printed page 9703) AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule updates the Dairy Forward Pricing Program (DFPP) regulations in accordance with the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 (Continuing Extensions Act). The Continuing Extensions Act reauthorizes the DFPP program to allow handlers to enter into new contracts until September 30, 2026. Any forward contract entered prior to the September 30, 2026, deadline is subject to a September 30, 2029, expiration date. DATES: March 2, 2026. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Taylor, USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs, Order Formulation and Enforcement Division, STOP 0231-Room 2530, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0231; telephone (202) 720-7311; email: Erin.Taylor@usda.gov . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill)  [ 1 ] initially established the DFPP. [ 2 ] The DFPP allows milk handlers, under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (AMAA), [ 3 ] to pay producers or cooperative associations of producers a negotiated price for producer milk, rather than the Federal order minimum blend price for non-fluid classes of milk (Classes II, III, and IV under the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) system). The DFPP…