RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 16, 2017 – The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds North Carolina cabbage, corn, cotton, Flue-cured tobacco, grain sorghum, peanut, and soybean growers that the final date to apply for crop insurance for the 2017 crop year is February 28, 2017. The final date to apply for coverage on Burley tobacco, fresh market beans, machine-harvested pickling cucumbers, and processing beans is March 15, 2017. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing policies also have until the sales closing date to do so.

Crop insurance provides protection against crop production losses due to natural perils such as drought, hail, and excessive moisture. Coverage is available for losses in yield on all the crops listed above. Coverage is available for revenue losses caused by a change in the harvest price from the projected price for corn, cotton, grain sorghum, peanuts, and soybeans only. Additional information can be found on the Actuarial Information Browser page on the RMA website.

Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2017 crop year, including insurance for spring planted crops, which may be eligible for coverage under a written agreement. Crop insurance coverage decisions must be made on or before the sales closing date.

Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator. Producers can use the RMA Cost Estimator to get a premium amount estimate of their insurance needs online. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at the RMA website.