Risk Management Agency: USDA Extends Deadline for Public Comments on Recommendations for Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Rainfall Index Crop Insurance Program

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Risk Management Agency has issued the following news release on Oct. 29:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced it is extending the deadline for public comments on recommended improvements to the Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) Rainfall Index Crop Insurance Program to December 21, 2020. RMA will review all comments and determine what recommendations should be implemented for the 2022 crop year.

"We want to be sure we get enough feedback from producers and other stakeholders on these proposed improvements, so we're extending the comment deadline," said RMA Administrator Martin Barbre. "These comments will help us fine tune the PRF program to ensure its integrity and protect producers and help them manage their risk."

RMA contracted for an independent evaluation of the PRF program to determine its effectiveness as a risk management tool for livestock producers. The independent evaluation includes several recommendations, including:

* Adjusting the County Base Value (CBV) productivity range;

* Better targeting of indemnities;

* Focusing PRF on viable forage production areas;

* Focusing coverage on risk-reducing intervals;

* Taking an alternative approach to reducing frequent shallow losses; and

* Modifying the CBV.

Details on the recommendations are published in the PRF Contractors Report and the PRF Alternative Recommendations available on the RMA website for public review and comment. Comments can be submitted via email to [email protected] or by mail to Director, Product Administration and Standards Division, Risk Management Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 419205, Kansas City, MO 64133-6205.

RMA is authorizing additional flexibilities due to the coronavirus pandemic while continuing to support producers, working through Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) to deliver services, including processing policies, claims and agreements. RMA staff are working with AIPs and other customers by phone, mail and electronically to continue supporting crop insurance coverage for producers. Farmers with crop insurance questions or needs should continue to contact their insurance agents about conducting business remotely (by telephone or email). More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private insurance agents. A list of insurance agents is available online using the RMA Agent Locator. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at rma.usda.gov.

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