JACKSON, Miss., Feb. 6, 2015 – The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Tennessee farmers that the final dates to apply for crop insurance on most insurable spring crops are fast approaching. Crop insurance provides protection against crop production losses due to natural perils such as drought, hail, and excessive moisture.

Farmers need to purchase, review, or modify their crop insurance policies before these sales closing dates have passed. Decisions include what crops to insure and what coverage level is appropriate for their operation.

The last day for Tennessee farmers to buy or change a policy for rice, corn, cotton, fresh market tomatoes, grain sorghum, soybeans, tobacco, or whole farm protection is March 15.

Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator. Producers can use the RMA Cost Estimator to get a premium amount estimate of their insurance needs online.

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