Crop insurance offers added opportunities for farmers

Gazette intern reporter

The federal crop insurance program will provide more flexibility for farmers, Acting Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse said.

The insurance will give them an opportunity to practice the growing of more than one crop on the same field at different times of the year, which is commonly known as double cropping.

Double cropping requirements are reviewed to sufficiently recognize changes in increasing farm operations or for additional land. This change will cover land added as well as account for multiple rotations of crops. These changes will take effect for the 2017 crop year, beginning with winter wheat.

The federal crop insurance program provides growers with better access to tools to assist with finances, when prices are low and when access to credit may be difficult.

The USDA program has especially focused on giving more to diversified farms, smalls and beginning farmers and ranchers. Crop insurance is sold and delivered through private crop insurance agents who are available at all USDA Service Centers, such as the one in Colfax.