RALEIGH, N.C., June 30, 2017 – USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Pennsylvania fall-seeded forage growers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2018 crop year is July 31, 2017. Current policy holders also have until July 31 to make changes to existing contracts.

Crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net, as it provides protection against a loss in production due to natural perils such as adverse weather conditions, failure of irrigation water supply, fire, insects or plant disease, or wildlife. Newly-seeded acreage of alfalfa and forage mixtures containing at least 50 percent (by weight) alfalfa, clover, birdsfoot trefoil, or any other locally recognized and approved forage legume species may be covered under the policy in all Pennsylvania counties except Philadelphia.

Fall-seeded acreage must be planted by August 31, 2017. Coverage ends the date of the total destruction of the crop, initial harvest, commencement of grazing, the final adjustment of a loss, or abandonment of the crop, whichever is earliest.

Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent to learn specific details for the 2018 crop year. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator. Growers can use the RMA Cost Estimator to get a premium amount estimate of their insurance needs online.

For more information about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net visit www.rma.usda.gov.

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