The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds agricultural producers that for the 2022 crop year there are options for insuring double crop soybeans and other crops in counties where the Following Another Crop (FAC) practice is not available. Producers intending to plant soybeans or other crops after wheat in counties where double crop insurance coverage is not available, have the option to request coverage through their crop insurance agent if there is evidence of adaptability for the practice in the area. In addition, producers in some areas of the country also have the option to request coverage for soybeans planted into wheat using a relay cropping practice if there is evidence of adaptability for the practice in the area. Producers may request an Unrated Practice, (relay cropping soybeans) or Type Practice (double crop) written agreement through their crop insurance company to insure the crop. Producers requesting coverage for these practices for the first time, have until the acreage reporting date of July 15 to submit a request to their agent.
Eric Bashore, USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) Billings Regional Office Director said, “It’s important that producers know they have options to insure double crops even in counties where coverage is not available. If you’re looking at relay cropping or double cropping in counties without coverage, please contact your crop insurance agent for details on requesting a written agreement to provide coverage.”
In addition to these 2022 crop year options, RMA is actively working with stakeholders to identify areas to expand double cropping coverage for the 2023 crop year. This initiative may include expanding where FAC is allowed permanently or by considering other flexibilities and expanding where written agreements are allowed.
For assistance with a crop insurance claim, producers should contact their crop insurance agent. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator. If producers have additional questions, they can also contact RMA’s Billings Regional Office at (406) 657-6447.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.
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