The Risk Management Agency (RMA) revised the Rainfall Index (RI) Common Policy and the Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) Crop Provisions for 2023 and succeeding crop years with the following changes:

• Add certified organic and transitional organic irrigated hay practices to PRF;
• Revise and add several definitions to match definitions in the Common Crop Insurance Policy (CCIP) Basic Provisions;
• Clarify definitions of “expected grid index,” “final grid index,” and “index interval” to state the index intervals are based on a 24-hour period determined by the data;
• Add language to allow corrections to insurance applications with missing social security numbers or employer identification numbers of a person with a substantial beneficial interest to match CCIP Basic Provisions;
• Include the 30-day appeal deadline for good farming practice determinations;
• Clarify the consequences of not providing acceptable records for policies with the intended use of haying or grazing; and
• Clarify livestock records must be maintained.

The following materials will be available by close of business today on the RMA website at www.rma.usda.gov/Policy-and-Procedure/Insurance-Plans/Rainfall-Index:

• Rainfall Index Plan Common Policy (23-RI)
• Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Crop Provisions (23-RI-PRF)

The Rainfall Index Insurance Standards Handbook (FCIC-18150) will be available at a later date.

Approved insurance providers must notify policyholders of these changes at least 30 days prior to the cancellation date, as required by the policy.

Interested producers should contact a crop insurance agent for further information. A list of agents can be found on the RMA website at www.rma.usda.gov/Information-Tools/Agent-Locator-Page.

Questions regarding these modifications may be directed to rma.kcviri@usda.gov.

DISPOSAL DATE:
December 31, 2023