Billings RO: USDA Makes Improvements to the Weaned Calf Risk Protection Program

BILLINGS, Mont., Nov. 26, 2024 –The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced improvements to the Weaned Calf Risk Protection (WCRP) livestock insurance program for the 2025 and succeeding crop years. This program, offered by USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), offers coverage for beef cow-calf producers in Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota and Texas to insure revenue from their spring calving operations.

“After introducing the Weaned Calf Risk Protection program last year, we’ve worked with producers and stakeholders to learn where improvements could be made,” said Eric Bashore, Director of RMA’s Regional Office that covers South Dakota. “These announced improvements will better align the program with the evolving risk management needs of livestock producers.”

WCRP provides coverage for a decline in price and loss of yield due to a decrease of overall weaning weight of the calves or a drop in market price, similar to the revenue coverage offered for crops.

Improvements to the program will:

• Extend the calving period from 60 days to 90 days.
• Change the projected price discovery period end date from January 15 to January 14 to be consistent with other policies.
• Clarify that only one county should be listed on each policy application.
• Clarify notice and reporting requirements for backgrounding, moving, and weaning calves.
• Extend the deadline for insurance companies to complete the Pre-Acceptance Inspection Report from 30 days to 60 days.

The sales closing date for the 2025 crop year is January 31, 2025.

More information on Weaned Calf Risk Protection can be obtained from RMA’s Livestock Page, and Ask the Expert on WCRP blog. To learn more about the full range of livestock risk management options, you can also view a Virtual Livestock Roadshow recording.

More Information

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 learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at rma.usda.gov or by contacting their RMA Regional Office.

RMA secures the future of agriculture by providing world class risk management tools to rural America through Federal crop insurance and risk management education programs. RMA provides policies for more than 130 crops and is constantly working to adjust and create new policies based on producer needs and feedback.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.

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