10/16/08 RMA still working on combo policy for grains

Farm and Ranch October 16, 2008 USDA's Risk Management Agency is still working on combining its various crop insurance products for grains into one policy with a variety of options. Dave Paul, director of the regional RMA office says there was money in the farm bill for the agency for information technology which is allowing RMA to ramp up for filing what it calls the "combo regulation." Paul: "Producers right now can choose between the MCPI APH program, CRC, Revenue Assurance, Income Protection, depending upon the county and the state they are in. We have a rule out there that is pending to be filed as a final rule to be published that will combine all of those into one insurance product that will make it much simpler to get quotes on. Much less paperwork. One insurance plan with several options, many flexibilities for growers. We are anxiously awaiting getting that done." When might getting that done be? Paul: "My expectations at this time would be we would hope to have that new combo policy filed for the 2011 crop year." Dave Paul of RMA. I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.