USDA’s Risk Management Agency has announced changes to its crop insurance policy for 2018. The changes involve conservation compliance certification and choice of unit structure based on the risk management needs of producers. RMA removed the June 1 certification deadline date from conservation compliance and shifted that to the premium billing date. Nebraska Corn Growers Association President Dan Wesely says those changes make it more flexible for farmers.
He also supports RMA’s streamlining move which allows a policyholder to select an enterprise unit for either irrigated or non-irrigated practices. Wesely says the value of having crop insurance was notable this year where he farms in eastern Nebraska as there was a lot of wind damage.
Wesely says having the right coverage helps to strengthen the farm safety net, which is becoming more critical given the recent downturn in the ag economy.
Risk Management Agency officials worked closely with stakeholders before identifying these recent crop insurance changes. They were published November 24 in the Federal Register.
