03/03/08 Still time for new AGR-Lite applications

Washington Ag March 3, 2008 March 17th is the sales closing date for federal crop insurance for spring crops in 2008. That date is also the deadline for new applicants to get Adjusted Gross Revenue Lite coverage. That policy is a whole farm program that guarantees a certain level of revenue. Dave Paul, Director of the regional office of the Risk Management Agency, says AGR-Lite has proven popular among some segments of agriculture in the region. Paul: "We have seen terrific participation in the fruit industry. We have seen of late pretty significant growth with the seed crops in the Columbia Basin, western Washington and Oregon. Hay; I think it is underutilized actually with producers in the hay market, particularly these irrigated alfalfa and timothy growers that are so dependent not getting rained on at a particular time and the quality of their product. So we have seen some growth in the hay area. Even with some of the livestock we have seen growth in." Again the deadline for new applications for AGR-Lite is March 17th. I'm Bob Hoff.