The USDA is extending the application period for dairy farmers to enroll in marketing assistance for this year.

Producers now have until December 13 to sign up for the Farm Service Agency's Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program.

The $58 million available will provide cost-chare payments on up to nine million pounds of milk for farmers.

The USDA says the program supports keeping the organic dairy market sustainable until markets return to more normal conditions.

The funds are provided through unused Commodity Credit Corporation funds remaining from earlier pandemic assistance programs.