((a)) ** Coverage level threshold and coverage percentage**

((1)) ** Coverage level threshold**

((A)) ** In general** For purposes of receiving dairy margin coverage payments for a month, a participating dairy operation shall annually elect a coverage level threshold that is equal to $4.00, $4.50, $5.00, $5.50, $6.00, $6.50, $7.00, $7.50, $8.00, $8.50, $9.00, or $9.50.

((B)) ** Applicability** Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the coverage level threshold elected under subparagraph (A) shall apply to the covered production elected by the participating dairy operation under paragraph (2).

((C)) ** Second coverage election for tier II** In the case of a participating dairy operation that elects a coverage level threshold of $8.50, $9.00, or $9.50 under subparagraph (A)—

((i)) that coverage level threshold shall apply to the first 6,000,000 pounds of milk marketings included in the covered production elected by the participating dairy operation; and

((ii)) the participating dairy operation shall elect a coverage level threshold that is equal to $4.00, $4.50, $5.00, $5.50, $6.00, $6.50, $7.00, $7.50, or $8.00 to apply to milk marketings in excess of 6,000,000 pounds included in the covered production elected by the participating dairy operation.

((2)) ** Coverage percentage** For purposes of receiving dairy margin coverage payments for a month, a participating dairy operation shall annually elect a percentage of coverage, in 5-percent increments, not exceeding 95 percent of the production history of the participating dairy operation.

((b)) ** Payment threshold** A participating dairy operation shall receive a dairy margin coverage payment whenever the average actual dairy production margin for a month is less than the coverage level threshold selected by the participating dairy operation.

((c)) ** Amount of payment** The dairy margin coverage payment for the participating dairy operation shall be determined as follows:

((1)) The Secretary shall calculate the amount by which the coverage level threshold selected by the participating dairy operation exceeds the average actual dairy production margin for the month.

((2)) The amount determined under paragraph (1) shall be multiplied by—

((A)) the coverage percentage selected by the participating dairy operation; and

((B)) the production history of the participating dairy operation divided by 12.