USDA Reminds Pacific Northwest Producers of Fall Crop Sales Closing Dates

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
RISK MANAGEMENT AGENCY

            Spokane, Wash., July 30, 2012 ---- USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Idaho, Oregon and Washington producers of the important 2013 crop year sales closing deadlines for Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) programs:  

* Canola/Rapeseed – August 31 (for Fall Planted types)

* Onions – August 31 (Fall Planted types - Umatilla/Walla Walla counties only)

* Mint with Winter Coverage – October 1

* Forage Production - October 1 (Klamath and Malheur counties, Oregon)

* Forage (Alfalfa) Seed Pilot – October 1

* Fall Planted Barley with Winter Coverage – October 1 (in selected counties)

* Fall Planted Dry Peas/Lentils with Winter Coverage October 1 (in selected counties)

* Wheat – October 1 

“We are pleased to offer coverage for the 2013 crop year on the Forage (Alfalfa) Seed Pilot (MPCI) program to all qualifying producers in Idaho, Oregon and Washington,” said RMA Spokane Regional Office Director Dave Paul. 

Before the 2012 crop year the pilot program only allowed for coverage to producers in limited areas (e.g., Idaho: Canyon and Owyhee counties; Oregon: Malheur County and Washington: Grant and Walla Walla counties). With the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Board’s approved conversion of the pilot to a permanent regulatory program, extended coverage was made available through the written agreement process.   

“If there is no coverage filed in a county for a specific crop under the traditional MPCI program, I encourage producers to ask a crop insurance agent whether they are eligible for coverage under a written agreement,” Paul added. 

Current policyholders and uninsured growers must make all of their decisions on crop insurance coverage, especially which crops to insure and what level and type of coverage to get before the sales closing date.  

RMA also reminds producers of the important link between Federal crop insurance and Farm Service Agency (FSA) disaster programs. For non-insurable crops, a producer may buy coverage under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program by the sales closing date. Producers should contact their local FSA County Office for more information about timetables.   

Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2013 crop year.  Federal crop insurance program policies are sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance companies and agents.  A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers throughout the United States or on the RMA Web site at http://www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 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 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). 

Jo Lynne, Spokane RMA 

Jo Lynne Seufer, Risk Management Specialist
USDA/Risk Management Agency
Spokane Regional Office
(Serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington)
11707 East Sprague Ave, #201
Spokane, WA 99206
(509)228-6320 Office
800-205-9953 (in AK, ID, OR, WA) Toll Free
(509)998-6902 Gov't Cell
(509)228-6321 Fax
jo.lynne.seufer@rma.usda.gov
www.rma.usda.gov