To help farmers hurt by the extreme weather, USDA’s Risk Management Agency will defer the accrual of interest on 2019 crop insurance premiums until the end of January. USDA Under Secretary Bill Northey made that announcement at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention. The Agriculture Department had previously announced a deferral until November 20 from the established September 30 deadline. Northey, who spent time last week in Minnesota and North Dakota, said the extension is needed due to the very delayed harvest.