Important Crop Insurance Deadline Near for Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming Producers

BILLINGS, Mont., Feb. 17, 2015 – The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds farmers and ranchers that the final date to purchase or make changes to crop insurance on spring-planted crops in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming is March 16. Farmers also need to notify their agent if they have planted winter wheat in a county with only spring wheat coverage by this date. Crop insurance provides protection against crop production losses due to natural perils such as drought, hail, and excessive moisture. 

Decisions on new farm safety net options will need to be made before the March 16 sales closing date as well. Farmers will need to decide whether to elect Actual Production History (APH) Yield Exclusion, as well as the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) for the 2015 crop year by this date. These two options, provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill, are available for select crops in select counties. More information is available on the RMA Farm Bill web page. 

“Farmers should contact their crop insurance agent for more information on crop insurance and the availability of these new options,” said Eric Bashore, Billings Regional Office director. 

Additional Information is also located on the RMA website. 

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. 

 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (toll-free customer service), (800) 877-8339 (local or federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (relay voice users).