The U.S. Department of Agriculture (or USDA) has announced that the comment period for the proposed changes of the Apple Crop Provision has been extended to April 15.
In December, the USDA announced that its Risk Management Agency (or RMA) would be proposing a rule to amend the current apple crop insurance program. The proposed amendment would be further revised following feedback.
“Hearing straight from our customers, the producers, is the best way for us to know how to improve the products and programs we offer them. By extending the comment period for the Apple Crop Provisions, we are allowing more time for this important feedback process,” said Marcia Bunger the administrator of the RMA.
The proposed changes include a tiered insurance system that will allow producers to manage prices and risk more effectively. The changes will also decrease farmers' premiums in light of certain orchard management practices such as grafting trees, which hampers an orchard's productivity.
If you're interested in submitting comments on the proposal, this can be done from the Federal Register's site.
To learn more about crop insurance and the farm safety net, visit rma.usda.gov.
