Officials at the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) finalized a round of policy changes for 2021 spring crops this week, most notably expanding the “1-in-4” planting requirement for prevented-plant insurance claims. Now, a crop must be planted, insured and harvested in at least one of the last four years in order to be eligible for prevented-plant coverage. Other changes include updates to policies for beginning farmer/rancher and veteran farmer/rancher, namely allowing qualified, eligible producers to utilize previous producers or landowners’ annual production history in yield-based policies. The round of RMA changes also includes an expansion of hemp coverage and updates to rice and tobacco policies. See more about the RMA changes for 2021. If you have questions about the changes, contact your ProAg District Sales Manager or Underwriter.