News
WASHINGTON, NOV. 28, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced changes to its crop insurance policies. Major changes for 2018 focus on conservation compliance certification and choice of unit structure based on the risk management needs of producers.
“Every producer’s situation is unique. At RMA we want to ensure the policies we provide are flexible enough so that producers are getting the most effective and efficient coverage. Ensuring producers have the right coverage helps to strengthen the farm safety net,” said RMA Acting Administrator Heather Manzano.
To offer producers increased flexibility, RMA has removed the June 1 certification deadline date from the conservation compliance provisions and will…
WASHINGTON, July 27, 2017 – Crop Insurance for beekeeper operations has been expanded to include 19 additional states and now spans the entire 48 contiguous states. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced changes to the Apiculture Pilot Insurance Plan (API) ensuring greater protection for the producers’ honey, pollen collection, wax, and breeding stock.
“Expanding this coverage so that more producers can participate in the Federal crop insurance program strengthens the rural economy through a broader farm safety net,” said RMA Acting Administrator Heather Manzano. “This provides increased support for beekeepers who play a critical role in agriculture.”…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced a new insurance plan option for the crop triticale. Triticale is a cross between wheat and rye and can be covered through this new plan.
The triticale plan derived from the Federal Crop Insurance Act’s 508(h) process, which allows private parties to develop insurance products that are: (1) in the best interests of producers, (2) follow sound insurance principles and (3) are actuarially appropriate.
"This plan for triticale demonstrates the kind of expertise, involvement, and commitment those in the private sector have for understanding what types of risk management insurance products farmers need. By raising this need up to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation,…
WASHINGTON, May 15, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced greater crop insurance options for farmers against unexpected decreases in their operating margin. Offered through the federal crop insurance program, margin protection insurance for corn, wheat, rice and soybeans will be available in more states and have updates designed to better clarify the real input costs covered beginning in 2018.
“The federal crop insurance program is a prime example of how USDA works with producers to create products that fit their needs, making the farm safety net stronger for the economic health of our rural communities,” said RMA Acting Administrator Heather Manzano.
The RMA is expanding margin protection for corn and…
WASHINGTON, May 11, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced up to $8.85 million available for cooperative agreements for risk management education and training programs. The funding provides the needed resources for organizations such as universities, county cooperative extension offices and nonprofit organizations to develop training and education tools to help farmers and ranchers learn how to effectively manage longterm risks and challenges.
The RMA works with private partners to assist producers, especially limited resource, socially disadvantaged and other traditionally underserved farmers and ranchers, in effectively managing longterm risks and challenges. Interested organizations may apply by…
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Albany, Mo., farmer was indicted by a federal grand jury today for a nearly $800,000 fraud scheme to receive federal crop insurance payments to which he was not entitled.
Ryan A. Ruckman, 60, of Albany, was charged in an eight-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.
Ruckman owned and operated farms in the Missouri counties of Gentry, Davies, Nodaway, Worth and Harrison, as well as counties in southern Iowa. The indictment alleges that Ruckman defrauded the government by claiming federal benefits in his son’s name in order to receive additional payments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Supplemental…
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced updated factors for prevented planting coverage that will strengthen the integrity of the federal crop insurance program. The updates were made to address the recommendations of a 2013 USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG) report, and are supported by the data from a subsequent third-party study commissioned at the urging of the OIG. These improvements will ensure that the program continues to be a well-run program that provides a strong safety net for producers.
Prevented planting coverage provides producers protection if they are unable to plant an insured crop by the final planting date. When adverse weather prevents planting, a prevented planting…
WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has reappointed four members to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) Board of Directors (Board). James Bardenhagen, John F. Finston, Iris V. Sáenz and Kenneth Ray Sneed, who joined the Board in 2013, will each serve another four-year term of office.
The FCIC Board oversees the federal crop insurance program, managed by the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA). The Board reviews crop insurance products presented by outside parties and RMA, and determines which programs will best help farmers and ranchers. Crop insurance provides protection against a loss in production due to natural perils such as adverse weather conditions, insects or plant disease, or wildlife.
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WASHINGTON, July 7, 2016 – A stronger and more diverse federal crop insurance program has provided America’s diverse agricultural producers and rural communities with a reliable farm safety net that keeps the economy strong even after severe weather destroys crops. The program, managed by USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), has expanded options and availability over the past seven years, focusing on improved options for small and diverse farm operations, organic producers, beginning farmers and ranchers, and those struggling with years of repeated drought and providing the protections they need to continue farming.
“For years RMA has painstakingly worked to ensure that crop insurance worked for all farmers growing in all regions,” RMA…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced that the final safety net provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill, which provide farmers and ranchers better protection from weather disasters, market volatility and other risk factors, are now in place. With this announcement, RMA has finalized an interim rule that completes provisions such as enterprise units for irrigated and non-irrigated crops, adjustment in actual production history to establish insurable yields, crop production on native sod, beginning farmer and rancher provisions, coverage levels by practice, and the authority to correct errors.
"The Farm Bill directed us to make some changes that would strengthen the safety net we provide for America’s farmers and ranchers…