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Producers to Receive Crop Insurance Premium Benefit for Cover Crops

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Agricultural producers who have coverage under most crop insurance policies are eligible for a premium benefit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) if they planted cover crops during this crop year.
 
The Pandemic Cover Crop Program (PCCP), offered nationally by USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), helps farmers maintain their cover crop systems, despite the financial challenges posed by the pandemic.The PCCP is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, a bundle of programs to bring financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and producers who felt the impact of COVID-19 market disruptions.
 
“Cultivating cover crops requires a sustained, long-term investment, and the economic challenges of the pandemic made it financially challenging for many producers to maintain cover crop systems,” said RMA Acting Administrator Richard Flournoy. “Producers use cover crops to improve soil health and gain other agronomic benefits, and this program will reduce producers’ overall premium bill to help ensure producers can continue this climates-smart agricultural practice.”
 

Dry Bean Growers Do Qualify for Government Assistance

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Questions have been circulating on whether or not dry bean producers are eligible for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments. According to Tom Hance with Gordly Associates, the answer is yes. Dry edible beans are fall under the Sales Commodities category of CFAP 2.
 
“Dry beans are included in CFAP 2,” said Hance. “Growers are able to amend and increase this payment if they received a crop insurance indemnity or WHIP+ payment for 2019 production. Those producers can also have their CFAP 2 payment calculated using their 2018 sales.”
 
Famers who have not already applied for CFAP 2 can do so through their county Farm Service Agency office.
 
In addition, USDA has set aside $6 billion for the Pandemic Assistance for Producers program. This is another opportunity for compensation to dry bean producers, said Hance in a Red River Farm Network interview.
 
“There are a list of entities that will possibly be included in this $6 billion. The specialty crops in the sales commodity category, including dry beans, are among those that could potentially be included.”
 
Hance stresses that this decision is subject to rulemaking, so it will be several months before it will be known how the funds are distributed.

Pandemic Assistance for Producers Plan Unveiled

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After reviewing existing COVID-19 relief, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will take a new approach for distributing additional assistance to farmers and ranchers. This new initiative is called the Pandemic Assistance for Producers.
 
It includes:
1.) $6 million to expand assistance to more producers, with an emphasis on small farmers and ranches, dairy, specialty crops, euthanized livestock and poultry, renewable fuels and more.
2.) Adds $500 million to existing programs.
3.) Carries out formula payments for existing Coronavirus Food Assistance Programs.
 
USDA will also reopen CFAP 2 sign-up for 60 days starting on April 5. Get the full details.