The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a new Grapevine Crop Insurance Program that will be available to grape producers in select counties in Ohio, California, Idaho, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington for the 2024 crop year.
The program will provide coverage for the loss of grafted vines from natural perils such as freeze, hail, flood, and fire. It is classified as a "mortality policy" which pays losses when the vine is dead or so badly damaged it will not recover in the following 12 months.
Coverage will be offered for grafted vines only with coverage levels between 50 and 75%. No partial damage losses will be considered. Additional optional catastrophic (CAT) coverage or occurrence loss option (OLO) are available for producers to purchase to cover smaller losses.
Producers must purchase coverage on or before November 1, 2023. Coverage will begin on December 1 of each crop year and continue to November 30 of the following year. Insurance coverage will automatically renew for the subsequent crop year unless you cancel coverage by the November 1 cancellation date.
Producers using Freeze Protection practices in their operation that are recognized by industry experts can benefit from lower premium costs. Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents.
A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online using the RMA Agent Locator at: www.rma.usda.gov/information-tools/agent-locator.
Benefits for Ohio Grape Producers:
The new Grapevine Crop Insurance Program can provide a number of benefits to Ohio grape producers, including:
- Financial protection from the loss of grafted vines due to natural perils
- Reduced risk of financial hardship
- Peace of mind knowing that your vines are insured
- Potential to lower premium costs by using Freeze Protection practices
How to Apply:
To apply for Grapevine Crop Insurance, producers should contact a private crop insurance agent. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online using the RMA Agent Locator at: https://www.rma.usda.gov/information-tools/agent-locator
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Categories: Ohio, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables