USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) conducts program reviews on a cyclical basis for all crops that have a crop insurance product available. The review looks at program experience, dates and special provisions of insurance to ensure that crop insurance programs meet the needs of farmers at the county level. The review includes an analysis of insurance data for the last 10 years, specifically looking at insurance usage, planting dates, yields and insurance experience. Also considered are university research, Cooperative Extension guidance and weather data. This ensures that insurance dates and provisions reflect current agronomics, work for farmers, and are actuarially sound.
As crop production practices change across the state, typical planting dates shift. For example, soybean plantings are trending earlier, and newer, shorter season genetics allow for other crops to be planted later into the season. RMA sets early and final planting dates for each county and crop. Any acres planted before the earliest planting dates lose replant coverage. Acres planted after the final planting date will have insurance coverage reduced each day until the end of the late planting period when the coverage level becomes the same as prevent plant coverage.
Contact: Theresa Sisung | 517-323-6729 or John Kran | 517-679-5336
Should crop insurance planting dates be changed to make the insured planting period longer? If yes, which crops and regions of the state should have date changes?
Are there other data sources RMA should consider when reviewing crop insurance products?
AFBF Policy #225 Risk Management/Crop Insurance