Crop Insurance Deadline Nears in Maryland

RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 20, 2015 — The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Maryland farmers that the final date to purchase crop insurance for most insurable spring-planted crops is March 15, 2015. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing policies also have until this March 15 sales closing date to do so.

Crop insurance provides protection against losses due to natural perils, such as drought, hail, wind, and excessive moisture. Crops with a March 15 sales closing date include corn, cucumbers, forage seeding, fresh market sweet corn, fresh market tomatoes, grain sorghum, spring oats, processing beans, processing sweet corn, processing tomatoes, soybeans, and tobacco. Insurance is also available for revenue loss caused by a change in the harvest price from the projected price for corn, grain sorghum, and soybeans.

Producers are strongly urged to contact a crop insurance agent as soon as possible for premium quotes and more details. 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).