Weaned Calf Risk Protection

Spring born beef calves are insurable from live birth through weaning if:

• You have a share in the calves;
• Premium rates are available for the county;
• Calves are a type designated in the Special Provisions and grown for the production of beef;
• Produced using generally recognized and acceptable practices;
• Insurability requirements are met and calves are reported on your calf report; and
• If inspected, your livestock operation is considered acceptable by the AIP.

You are protected against the following:

• Adverse weather conditions;
• Fire;
• Earthquake;
• Wildlife;
• Volcanic eruption;
• Disease, but not damage due to insufficient or improper application of disease control measures;
• Other causes directly damaging pastures and other forms of grazing (e.g., insects, provided acceptable control measures were followed);
• Calf death due to a covered peril occurring during the insurance period (e.g., disease, freezing temperatures, flood, fire, hail, wildlife, etc.) provided you submit acceptable supporting documentation of calf death and the insured cause(s) of loss; or
• For revenue protection, a change in harvest price from projected price unless FCIC can prove the price change was the direct result of an uninsured cause of loss specified in section 12(a) of the Basic Provisions.

Insurance attaches to calves reported on your calf report the earlier of the:

• Date you submit your calf report, including any revisions;
• Calf reporting date; or
• Final calf reporting date. 

Coverage ends at the earliest of: 

• Total destruction of the insured calves;
• Final adjustment of a loss;
• Abandonment of the insured calves;
• Putting the insured calves to an alternative use (backgrounding, etc.);
• Sale of the insured calves;
• The calendar date calves are weaned; 
• Moving the insured calves to another country; or
• The January 31 end of insurance date.

Coverage levels range from 50 to 85 percent of your approved yield. Insurance premiums are subsidized as shown in the following table. For example, if you choose the 65 percent coverage level, your premium share would be 41 percent of the base premium.

Catastrophic Risk Protection (CAT) coverage is fixed at 50 percent of your approved yield and 55 percent of the price election. CAT is 100 percent subsidized with no premium cost to you. There is, however, an administrative fee of $655 per county, regardless of the number of head.

Assume Revenue Protection is elected and you have a 100 percent share in a unit. A general overview of the revenue protection guarantee and indemnity calculations are as follows:

All multi-peril livestock insurance, including CAT policies, are available from private insurance agents. A list of livestock insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and on the RMA website at Agent Locator.

Customer Note: Agents may reside or have an office in one state/county, but sell and service policies in other states/counties. An agent authorized to sell livestock policies is not required to sell crop policies, and vice versa.

• Actuarial Information Browser
• USDA Risk Management Agency Homepage
• Regional Office State Directory
• USDA Risk Management Agency Livestock Insurance Plans

USDA/RMA
Mail Stop 0801
1400 Independence Ave. SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-0801

RMA.Media.Request@rma.usda.gov

Website: RMA.usda.gov