Farmers have until March 15 to review which USDA crop risk protection options, including federal crop insurance and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, they need for spring-seeded crops.
Federal crop insurance covers crop losses from natural adversities such as drought, hail and excessive moisture.
NAP covers losses from natural disasters on crops for which no permanent federal crop insurance program is available, including forage and grazing crops, fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, floriculture, ornamental nursery, aquaculture, turf grass, ginseng, honey, syrup, bioenergy and industrial crops.
The March 15 deadline applies to the following crops in Shawano andMenominee counties: sorghum forage, herbs, pumpkins, and most annual fruits and vegetables.
“NAP policies allow producers to protect their investment by purchasing coverage for noninsurable crops,” said Nancy Swenty, executive director of the Shawano-Menominee County USDA Farm Service Agency. “Natural disasters are an unavoidable part of farming and ranching, and FSA programs like NAP help producers recover when they experience a loss.”
USDA has partnered with Michigan State University and the University of Illinois to create an online tool at www.fsa.usda.gov/nap that allows producers to determine whether their crops are eligible for federal crop insurance or NAP, and to explore the best level of protection for their operation.
NAP basic coverage is available at 55 percent of the average market price for crop losses that exceed 50 percent of expected production, with higher levels of coverage, up to 65 percent of their expected production at 100 percent of the average market price available, including coverage for organics and crops marketed directly to consumers. Crops intended for grazing are not eligible for additional NAP coverage.
Federal crop insurance coverage is sold and delivered solely through private insurance agents. Agent lists are available at all USDA Service Centers or at USDA’s online Agent Locator: http://prodwebnlb.rma.usda.gov/apps/AgentLocator/#.
Producers can use the USDA Cost Estimator at https://ewebapp.rma.usda.gov/apps/costestimator/Default.aspx to predict insurance premium costs.
For information, contact the Shawano-Menominee County FSA office, 603A Lakeland Road, Shawano, at 715-524-4814, ext. 2, or visit www.fsa.usda.gov/nap online.