America’s agricultural communities are on the frontlines crafting solutions to address climate change and improve the environment. RMA is supporting conservation-minded farmers and ranchers by creating new and improving insurance options for producers. Whether it’s the use of cover crops, water management for quality and quantity, methods to improve nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration, or other climate-smart practices, the right crop insurance products and programs can serve as a strong foundation for your agricultural operation.
Post Application Coverage Endorsement
In crop year 2022, RMA introduced the Post Application Coverage Endorsement (PACE) to help corn farmers improve water quality while gaining efficiencies and reducing costs by specifically supporting the practice of “split application.” In this case, nitrogen is used in more targeted amounts over multiple applications, rather than one large application. The sales closing date is March 15.
Resources
• PACE Fact Sheet
• PACE Frequently Asked Questions
• January 5, 2022 News Release
• Eligible PACE Counties (PDF)
• PACE Policy (22-20660)
• PACE Insurance Standards Handbook (22-20660U)
• PACE Loss Adjustment Standards Handbook (22-20660L)
Cover Crops
RMA has taken many steps to support the use of cover crops. They are proven to reduce erosion, improve water quality, and increase the health and productivity of the soil while building resilience to climate change.
In 2021, RMA introduced the new Pandemic Cover Crop Program (PCCP), which provided premium support for producers with crop insurance who maintain cover crop systems during the pandemic. Also in 2021, RMA updated its policy to allow producers with crop insurance to hay, graze or chop cover crops at any time and still receive 100 percent of the prevented planting payment.
Resources
• RMA’s Cover Crop webpage
• PCCP webpage
• PCCP Frequently Asked Questions
• PCCP Fact Sheet
• June 21, 2021 release on PCCP
• July 6, 2021 release on haying, grazing, and chopping of cover crops
Irrigation Efficiency
By improving irrigation efficiency, agricultural producers can save input costs while conserving water. USDA helps farmers and ranchers manage excess water, conserve limited supplies of water, and build resilience to mitigate drought on their land and in their community.
This includes through Federal crop insurance, where RMA works on national, regional, and state levels to address concerns and challenges of water conservation and support practices that help promote irrigation efficiency and climate-smart practices that also benefit the producer and their operation.
• Alternative irrigation methods for rice growers
