Crop Insurance Deadline Nears in Maryland

RALEIGH, N.C., July 1, 2015 – USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Maryland fall-seeded forage growers that the final date for a new applicant to apply for 2016 fall-seeded forage crop insurance is July 31, 2015. Crop Insurance is a safety net for fall-seeded forage produced in eligible counties, providing coverage up to 75 percent of the historic average yield.

Newly-seeded acreage of alfalfa and forage mixtures containing at least 50-percent (by weight) alfalfa, clover, birdsfoot trefoil, or any other locally recognized and approved forage legume species may be covered under the policy in some Maryland counties. This acreage must be planted by August 31, 2015, in Allegany and Garrett counties by September 10, 2015, in Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Washington counties. Coverage ends the date of the total destruction of the crop, initial harvest, commencement of grazing, the final adjustment of a loss, or abandonment of the crop, whichever is earliest.

Growers 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. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at the RMA website.

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).