The USDA is seeking public comments for improvements to the Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) Rainfall Index Crop Insurance Program by Dec. 21, 2020.
The Risk Management Agency (RMA) contracted an independent evaluation of the program to determine its effectiveness as a tool for livestock producers. “We want to be sure that the recommendations RMA implements are good for the industry and good for livestock producers,” said RMA Administrator Martin Barbre.
Proposed recommendations from independent evaluation include: adjusting the County Base Value (CBV) productivity range; better targeting of indemnities; focusing PRF on viable forage production areas; focusing coverage on risk-reducing intervals; taking an alternative approach to reducing frequent shallow losses; and modifying the CBV. In addition to the PRF Program, recommendations could be applied to other rainfall index programs such as Apiculture and Annual Forage.
“Long-term, it is essential that RMA give cattlemen a seat at the table in developing its risk management tools. In the short term, however, these harmful adjustments to PRF are likely to be implemented unless RMA is flooded with comments from impacted producers,” the California Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) said in their legislative newsletter.
CCA’s partners at AgRisk Advisors have created a website for producers to review the proposal and submit comments. CCA encourages members to visit www.PRFadvisors.com/savePRF before the Dec. 21 comment deadline.
The full report of recommendations is available at www.rma.usda.gov/Topics/Publications. Comments can be submitted via email to rma.kcviri@usda.gov or by mail to Director, Product Administration and Standards Division, Risk Management Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 419205, Kansas City, MO 64133-6205.
