Crop Insurance Deadline Nears in South Carolina

VALDOSTA, Ga., Feb. 12, 2016 - USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds South Carolina corn, cotton, flue-cured tobacco, grain sorghum, peanut, and soybean farmers the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage is February 28. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the February 28 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 corn, cotton, grain sorghum, peanuts, and soybeans in many South Carolina counties. Farmers are encouraged to check with their crop insurance agent to learn if their crops are covered in their counties. Coverage is available for flue-cured tobacco in Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Sumter, and Williamsburg counties.

Farmers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2016 crop year. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator. Farmers 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.