America’s agricultural communities are on the frontlines of innovation to ensure a safe and secure food supply for future generations. RMA is supporting conservation-minded farmers and ranchers by creating new and improving insurance options for producers. Whether it’s the use of cover crops, water management for quality and quantity, or other conservations methods, the right crop insurance products and programs can serve as a strong foundation for your agricultural operation.
To further encourage farmers and ranchers to integrate conservation, RMA recently released an updated Good Farming Practices handbook. This updated handbook recognizes all conservation practices offered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as Good Farming Practices in crop insurance. In the updated handbook, NRCS is recognized as an agricultural expert resource for cover crop management systems.
This update means producers can have peace of mind that using conservation practices will not impact their crop insurance. RMA is supporting stewardship-minded producers and crop insurance agents selling insurance with clearer, simpler policy around conservation practices.
Producers should reach out to their USDA service center to find a local NRCS office.
Post Application Coverage Endorsement
The Post Application Coverage Endorsement (PACE) helps corn farmers improve water quality while gaining efficiencies and reducing costs by specifically supporting the practice of “split application.” In this case, nitrogen is used in more targeted amounts over multiple applications, rather than one large application. The sales closing date is March 15.
Resources
- Post Application Coverage Endorsement Map | Text
- PACE Fact Sheet
- PACE Frequently Asked Questions
- PACE Policy (22-20660)
- PACE Insurance Standards Handbook (22-20660U)
- PACE Loss Adjustment Standards Handbook (22-20660L)
Cover Crops
RMA has taken many steps to support the use of cover crops. They are proven to reduce erosion, improve water quality, and increase the health and productivity of the soil.
Irrigation Efficiency
By improving irrigation efficiency, agricultural producers can save input costs while conserving water. USDA helps farmers and ranchers manage excess water, conserve limited supplies of water, and build resilience to mitigate drought on their land and in their community.
This includes through Federal crop insurance, where RMA works on national, regional, and state levels to address concerns and challenges of water conservation and support practices that help promote irrigation efficiency and conservation practices that also benefit the producer and their operation.