TOPEKA, Kan., Oct. 27, 2016 ― The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds farmers and ranchers in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska the final date to apply for insurance coverage on pasture, rangeland, or forage acres for 2017 is November 15. The Rainfall Index Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) pilot program provides coverage to protect livestock operations from the risks of forage losses on acreage being grazed or harvested for hay. Current policyholders who want to make a change to an existing policy can do so until the November 15, 2016, sales closing date.

PRF is an area-based plan of insurance that uses a rainfall index to determine losses and trigger indemnities. The rainfall index uses National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center precipitation data. Each grid is individually rated based on the data for that grid. The rainfall index is designed to insure against a decline in an index value that is based on the long-term historical average precipitation for the same area for the same period. It is important for ranchers and farmers to understand that payments are not based on individual rain gauges on their farm or a single weather station.

Online tools are available to assist producers to determine how well the program correlated with their past forage production. Index tables provide historical information ranchers can use to decide whether this plan is right for them and a decision support tool are available on the RMA PRF webpage.

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. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at www.rma.usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).