Forage Coverage

My friend Jo Lynne Seufer, Risk Management Specialist at the USDA/Risk Management Agency sent me an e-mail saying she was excited: "The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced that availability for forage production insurance coverage has expanded to include Idaho and Washington counties. The agency also reminded producers of the upcoming 2015 fall crop year sales closing deadlines for Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) programs. Forage Production is now available in Benewah, Boundary, Kootenai, Teton, and Twin Falls counties in Idaho and in Pend Oreille, Spokane, and Stevens counties in Washington. Coverage was previously only available in Klamath and Malheur counties in Oregon. We are very pleased to expand Forage Production coverage for the 2015 crop year in these areas.

 

Within the forage production policy, the irrigated practice is insurable in all above listed counties and the non-irrigated practice is available in select counties. The alfalfa type is insurable in all above listed counties and the alfalfa-grass mixture type (alfalfa comprising less than sixty percent of ground cover) is insurable in select counties. Producers should visit with an insurance agent about requesting coverage by written agreement if a type or practice is not insurable in their counties.

 

The sales closing date is the last day to buy federal crop insurance. Current policyholders and uninsured growers must make all of their decisions on crop insurance coverage, especially which crops to insure and what level and type of coverage to get before the sales closing date. The following are fast approaching 2015 crop year sales closing deadlines:  

 

•           Canola/Rapeseed – September 2 (for fall planted types);

•           Onions – September 2 (fall planted types - Umatilla/Walla Walla counties only);

•           Mint with Winter Coverage – September 30;

•           Forage Production – September 30 (select counties, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington);

•           Forage (Alfalfa) Seed Pilot – September 30;

•           Fall Planted Barley with Winter Coverage – September 30 (in select counties);

•           Fall Planted Dry Peas/Lentils with Winter Coverage – September 30 (in select counties);

•           Wheat – September 30.

 

Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2015 crop year. Federal crop insurance policies are sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance companies and agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers throughout the United States or on the RMA website: at www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents.