Crop Insurance Deadline Nears for Iowa Fall Planted Crops

USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin producers that the final date to apply for crop insurance for fall-planted crops, such as cultivated wild rice, forage production, grass seed, mint, rye, and wheat, is Sept. 30 for the 2023 crop year. Current policyholders also have until the September 30 sales closing date to make changes to their existing coverage.

As a reminder, some options and endorsements, like Yield Exclusion, also have a September 30 sales closing date. The Yield Exclusion option allows producers to exclude yields of eligible crop years when RMA determines the county per planted acre yield was at least 50 percent below the simple average of the per planted acre yield for the crop in the county for the previous 10 consecutive crop years. Policyholders should consult with their crop insurance agent to make this election.

Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy. Growers may select from several coverage options, including yield coverage, revenue protection, and area risk policies. Additional information can be found on the Actuarial Information Browser page on the RMA website.

Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2023 crop year.

RMA is authorizing additional flexibilities due to coronavirus while continuing to support producers, working through Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) to deliver services, including processing policies, claims and agreements. RMA staff are working with AIPs and other customers by phone, mail and electronically to continue supporting crop insurance coverage for producers. On farmers.gov, you can find more information on USDA's response and relief for producers and use other tools and resources.

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