Insurance program dates approach

USDA’s Risk Management Agency reminds producers of the fast approaching winter and spring sales closing dates for multiple-peril crop insurance programs, whole-farm insurance programs, the Adjusted Gross Revenue Pilot, and Adjusted Gross Revenue-Lite. AGR and AGR-Lite cover most farm-raised crops, animals, and animal products.

Current policyholders and uninsured growers must make all of their decisions on crop insurance coverage before the sales closing date. If there is no coverage in a county for a specific crop under the traditional multiple-peril crop insurance program, producers may ask a crop insurance agent whether they would be eligible for coverage under a written agreement.

Upcoming sales closing dates are:

n January 31, 2014, the last day to buy or change AGR insurance in select counties in Idaho, Oregon and Washington and the last day to submit required documents to continue or change 2014 AGR-Lite insurance for existing policy holders.

n February 3, 2014, the last day to buy or change crop insurance coverage for 2014 spring-planted onions in Idaho, Oregon and Washington and cabbage in Oregon and Washington.

n March 17, 2014, the last day to buy or change all other spring-seeded multiple-peril crop insurance (excluding wheat in counties with fall and spring planted types). Last day to buy 2014 AGR-Lite insurance for new application/enrollment policies.

Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2014 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 website at www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents.