Don Clifton, Farmers First Services, Decrophelp@gmail.com
As crop insurance deadlines for spring-planted crops near, make sure you have the right coverage package for your operation.
Double cropping is a common practice on Delmarva. Planting soybeans or vegetables after a small grain crop, or more than one vegetable annually on the same acreage, is routine for many area farmers. Producers need to be aware of special considerations when obtaining crop insurance for these crops.
Many Delmarva producers and agents have expressed frustration with the Double Cropping / Multiple Cropping provisions within current policy and procedure. Too often farmers find out about the full extent of certain coverage limitations only after a loss has occurred and the loss adjustment process has commenced. This has happened in cases of prevented planting claims as well as loss claims after harvest.
It is imperative that producers fully understand their options and responsibilities before making a final decision about their crop insurance package by the sales closing date. Depending on producer double cropping history or cropping history on the subject farm, it may be wise to change your coverage on either the first crop or subsequent crops. It is important to know your risk and any limitations to covering that risk. Ask your agent about your double cropping coverage NOW!
The applicable Crop Insurance Handbook language (par. 1223) reads, “1st insured crop limitations may apply to acreage planted to a 1st insured crop which has suffered an insurable loss. This excludes acreage that qualifies for double cropping. See the Loss Adjustment Manual for more information on double cropping.”
The issue of acreage qualification for double cropping is too important to ignore.
No producer can be expected to research the reference materials crop insurance professionals rely upon before making their crop insurance decisions. Crop insurance agents are prepared to answer your questions on a host of issues. Good communication with your agent is imperative. The agent needs to know which issues apply to your operation, which questions to answer.
In addition, information about these and any other crop insurance and/or revenue protection issues can be obtained by sending questions to decrophelp@gmail.com or calling (302) 242-8806. We can help you know which questions to ask your agent.
If double cropping coverage limitations lead you to opt out of coverage for one or more crops, you may be able to obtain Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) as umbrella risk protection for your farm income. Once again, the time to inquire about WFRP is NOW!
Who Should Consider Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP)?
Producers who derive income from:
- Otherwise Non-insurable crops
- A mix of insurable and non-insurable crops
- Crops and livestock
- Direct marketing
- Growers of some greenhouse and nursery crops
In other words, just about every ag producer on Delmarva!
In addition, producers for whom crop insurance policy provisions have limited coverage for individual crops may want to consider supplementing their risk protection with WFRP.
WFRP is an umbrella (whole farm) policy covering a wide array of farm production, both insurable commodities and those for which insurance is not currently available or limited.
Talk to your crop insurance agent today to see how you might benefit from WFRP.
USDA and Cooperative Extension – a partnership to help you make the best-informed risk management decisions for your family. Only a licensed agent can sell you crop insurance, you can get current Information about these and any other crop insurance and/or revenue protection issues by sending questions to decrophelp@gmail.com or calling (302) 242-8806. We can help you know which questions to ask a crop insurance agent.