7 U.S.C. § 9052 — Calculation of average feed cost and actual dairy production margins

(a) Calculation of average feed cost The Secretary must calculate the national average feed cost for each month using the following data: (1) The price of corn for a month must be the price received during that month by farmers in the United States for corn, as reported in the monthly Agricultural Prices report by the Secretary. (2) The price of soybean meal for a month must be the central Illinois price for soybean meal, as reported in the Market News–Monthly Soybean Meal Price Report by the Secretary. (3) The price of alfalfa hay for a month must be the price received during that month by farmers in the United States for alfalfa hay, as reported in the monthly Agricultural Prices report by the Secretary. (b) Calculation of actual dairy production margin (1) In general For use in dairy margin coverage, the Secretary must calculate the actual dairy production margin for each month by subtracting— (A) the average feed cost for that month, determined under subsection (a); from (B) the all-milk price for that month. (2) Time for calculation The calculation required by this subsection must be made as soon as practicable using the full-month price of the applicable reference month.