USDA Announces Fall Crop Sales Closing Dates, Expansion of Multi-Peril Crop Insurance, Barley and Dry Pea Winter Protection and Availability of Forage (Alfalfa) Seed Pilot Protection
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, July 25, 2011 — USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds producers of important 2012 crop year Federal crop insurance sales closing dates and changes for 2012 crop year for fall planted crops.
Winter coverage for the Barley Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) program was added for Idaho (Ada, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Jerome, Minidoka and Twin Falls counties) and Washington (Asotin County).
Winter coverage for Austrian Winter Dry Peas in Benewah County, Idaho is also available for 2012. Winter protection for dry peas is now available in Idaho (Benewah, Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis and Nez Perce counties) and Washington (Asotin, Douglas, Lincoln and Whitman counties)
“The intended effect of these changes is to continue to tailor RMA programs to better meet the needs of producers in the region and provide producers the opportunity to obtain winter damage insurance coverage to manage their revenue and yield risks.” said RMA’s Spokane Regional Office Director Dave Paul.
Also new for 2012 crop year is coverage for the Forage (Alfalfa) Seed Pilot provided via written agreement in counties outside the current pilot area of Idaho: Canyon and Owyhee counties; Oregon: Malheur County and Washington: Grant and Walla Walla counties. Producers wishing to insure alfalfa seed in counties outside the current pilot area should submit their requests for written agreement through an insurance agent by September 30, 2011.
“If there is no coverage filed in a county for a specific crop under the traditional MPCI program, he encourages producers to ask a crop insurance agent whether they would be eligible for coverage under a written agreement,” Paul added.
RMA also reminds Pacific Northwest producers of the fast approaching 2012 crop year sales closing deadlines for MPCI programs:
- Canola/Rapeseed – August 31, 2011 (for Fall Planted types)
- Onions – August 31, 2011 (Fall Planted types – Umatilla/Walla Walla counties only)
- Mint with Winter Coverage – September 30, 2011
- Forage Production – September 30, 2011 (Klamath and Malheur counties, Oregon)
- Forage (Alfalfa) Seed Pilot – September 30, 2011 (all Idaho, Oregon, Washington counties)
- Fall Planted Barley with Winter Coverage – September 30, 2011 (in selected counties)
- Fall Planted Dry Peas/Lentils with Winter Coverage – September 30, 2011 (in selected counties)
- Wheat – September 30, 2011
- Apiculture (Honey) – September 30, 2011
- Pasture Rangeland Forage – September 30, 2011
Current policyholders and uninsured growers must make all of their decisions on crop insurance coverage, especially which crops to insure and which level and type of coverage to obtain, prior to the sales closing date.
RMA reminds producers of the important link between Federal crop insurance and Farm Service Agency (FSA) disaster programs. For non-insurable crops, a producer may buy coverage under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program by the closing date. For further information about timetables, please contact the local FSA County Office.
Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2012 crop year. Federal crop insurance program policies are sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance companies and agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers throughout the United States or on the RMA Web site at http://www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents.
