Crop Insurance Deadline Nears in Florida

VALDOSTA, Ga., Sept. 15, 2016 - USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Florida oats, potato, sugarcane, and wheat growers the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2017 crop year is September 30. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the September 30 sales closing date to do so.

Crop insurance provides protection against a loss in production due to natural perils, such as drought or excessive moisture. Coverage is available for oats in Alachua, Calhoun, Escambia, Gadsden, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Levy, Okaloosa, Walton, and Washington counties. Coverage is also available for potatoes in Charlotte, Collier, Highlands, Indian River, Lee, Manatee, and Okeechobee counties. Coverage is available for sugarcane in Glades, Hendry, Martin, and Palm Beach counties. Coverage is also available for wheat in Alachua, Calhoun, Columbia, Escambia, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Walton, and Washington counties.

Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2017 crop year. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator. Growers 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 www.rma.usda.gov.