March 15 is the final day for crop producers to apply for Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and insurance coverage on spring crops, according to the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA). Those policyholders who want to modify their current coverage plans may also do so until the deadline.
More delicate crops have their insurance application deadlines on a slightly earlier date. Those policyholders applying for coverage on spring planted onions in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington and cabbage in Oregon only have until February 1.
Adjustments were made to the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection policy to make it even more accessible for new farmers and ranchers. Such changes include:
- Only three years of operation and farming records from the previous year are required to qualify
- A new producer is allowed to use a former farm operator’s federal farm tax records if the new producer assumes at least 90% of the operation
- Up to $1 million worth of livestock and animal products can now be insured
- The cap on historical revenue for expanding operations was raised to 35%
Producers are urged to see their crop insurance agent to learn more details for the 2016 crop year.
