Among the many advantages FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative provides to members, the Milk Income Loss Benefits program is near the top of the list. Members may receive financial assistance when they experience milk income loss due to a variety of situations, including:
- Loss due to electrocution or lightning
- Loss of electric power
- Loss due to impassable roads due to snow or flooding
- Loss by fire or windstorm
Read more about the April 2018 snowstorm that resulted in 19 FarmFirst members receiving payments, paying a total of $29,381 following that spring snowstorm. In February 2019, a snowstorm took place that resulted in more than $45,000 being paid to members in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. More recently, a derecho stormed through Iowa in August 2020 that provided more than $40,000 to FarmFirst members.
This disaster benefits program is a unique benefit to FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative members; not many cooperative programs offer such a program to their members in their time of need.
"We always have and always will continue to advocate for our members, especially for stronger dairy policies that support their dairies," says Jeff Lyon, General Manager of FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative. "Dairy farmers need their cooperative to look out for them, and we believe that FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative continues to put members' best interests first. During these weather-related disasters, we are glad that we can provide some support and relief."
A copy of the Disaster Benefits program brochure is available here. Members wishing to make a claim should contact their field representative or the office. For a full listing of membership benefits, please visit the Member Benefits webpage.
