Wyoming livestock producers are reminded of the November 15 sales closing deadline for the Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) Pilot Program offered by the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA). 

The PRF pilot program is available in all Wyoming counties and in all adjoining states. The PRF Program is designed to give forage and livestock producers the ability to buy protection for losses of forage produced for haying and/or grazing.  In Wyoming, the PRF program is based on a vegetative index that allows producers to personalize their policy by choosing a specific 3-month coverage interval, a coverage level between 70 to 90 percent, and a productivity factor anywhere between 60 and 150 percent of the county base value. When applying for coverage, producers will also need to allocate the percentage of the total value for their operation.

 

Producers can purchase a PRF insurance policy and a USDA Farm Service Agency Non-Insured Assistance Program (NAP) policy on the same acres for the same intended use. They may also earn a PRF indemnity and a NAP payment the same year. 

The PRF Program sales closing date for the 2013 crop year is Thursday, November 15, 2012. Interested producers are encouraged to soon visit with their crop insurance agent to learn additional program details. Producers should also ask their agent about recent program changes and seek help in reviewing their historical grid information.  

History for each grid and interval across covered areas can be found at http://agforceusa.com/rma/vi/prf/maps. Using this tool, producers can see which years and coverage periods would have paid indemnities in the last twenty years based on hypothetical coverage levels in selected grids. Producers are strongly encouraged to use this tool to help make purchase and coverage level decisions. Not all acres that are grazed need to be insured, but producers must have an insurable interest in the acres covered.  An insurable interest, defined as the right to graze the property, must be documented.

To speak with a rancher who has analyzed and purchased this product, producers are encouraged to contact Brett Crosby, President of Wyoming-based Custom Ag Solutions (CAS), at 307-548-9636. CAS works with RMA to educate and inform producers about risk management and Federal Crop Insurance Programs. Crosby is also a Wyoming rancher who is well versed in risk management decisions facing livestock producers.

Federal crop insurance policies are sold and delivered solely through private insurance companies and agents. To locate a crop insurance agent or obtain information about risk management and RMA’s Federal Crop Insurance Programs, please visit www.RMA.USDA.gov. To discuss available programs or receive program information by mail, call Custom Ag Solutions at 307-548-9636.  CAS is an equal opportunity provider.