Iowa Secretary of Farming Mike Naig motivates farmers and landowners who planted cover crops this fall to request the Crop Insurance Coverage Discount Rate Program by Jan. 13, 2023. Qualified Iowa farmers and landowners can get a $5 per acre discount rate on spring crop insurance coverage premiums for cover crop acres situated within Iowa.
” Iowa farmers are continuing to purchase and execute tested preservation practices, like cover crops, to enhance soil health and enhance water quality,” stated Secretary Naig. “This effective program was begun in Iowa and has actually ended up being a design for other states as it has actually been an efficient reward to get more cover crops planted.”
Farmers can register now for the cover crop insurance coverage premium decrease program at apply.cleanwateriowa.org. To certify, the cover crop acres can not be registered in other state or federal expense share programs.
Cover crops help enhance soil health, avoid soil disintegration and lock in nutrients, particularly throughout severe weather condition occasions. Cover crops are a tested method to decrease the loss of nitrogen and phosphorous from the soil, which assists to enhance water quality. Cover crops likewise provide weed control and animals grazing advantages for farmers and landowners.
Program Information
This is the 6th year the Crop Insurance coverage Discount Rate Program is being collectively administered by the Iowa Department of Farming and Land Stewardship and United States Department of Farming (USDA) Threat Management Company (RMA). Interest in the program continues to grow with brand-new farmers and fields signing up with each year. To date, around 1,800 farmers have actually registered almost 1 million acres of cover crops in the program. Iowa’s program has actually likewise worked as a design for other states, consisting of Illinois and Indiana.
Some insurance coverage might be left out, like Whole-Farm Earnings Defense, or those covered through composed contracts. Individuals should follow all existing farming practices needed by their policy and deal with their insurance coverage representatives to keep eligibility. Farmers must visit their regional USDA service center to learn more about extra programs and resources that support the application of preservation and water quality practices.
