By Andi Anderson
For the past two years, many hay producers and pasture managers across Ohio have faced difficult growing conditions. Extended periods of drought have led to lower forage production, creating challenges similar to those experienced by row crop farmers.
Because of this continued weather-related uncertainty, livestock producers who rely on pasture or their own hay supply are encouraged to consider Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) Insurance as part of their risk management plan. Enrollment for this protection must be completed by December 1 each year.
PRF Insurance is designed to help producers manage weather-related forage losses. It is a single-peril insurance product, meaning it only covers rainfall shortage. It is also area-based, so payments are not tied to an individual farmer’s production experience.
Instead, indemnities are determined by how much rainfall in a specific grid deviates from long-term historical averages. When rainfall in that grid falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer, a payment may be triggered.
Rainfall data used for PRF comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center (NOAA CPC), which provides consistent and reliable measurements.
Because the program focuses on grid-based rainfall rather than farm-level data, producers must understand which grid their operation falls into and choose a coverage level that matches their risk tolerance.
Farmers enrolling in PRF Insurance will make several key decisions. These include the percentage of forage production they want to insure, the level of coverage they prefer, and the time periods during which they want protection.
The program allows producers to distribute their coverage across different intervals during the year, which helps match insurance to seasonal rainfall patterns.
Producers who experienced reduced forage yields in recent years may benefit from exploring PRF as a tool to stabilize their operations.
With drought returning more frequently in parts of the state, and hay supplies remaining tight, risk management tools like PRF Insurance can help reduce uncertainty.
Farmers are encouraged to speak with a licensed crop insurance agent well before the December 1 deadline to determine whether PRF coverage fits their operation. Using available programs can help protect forage resources, support livestock production, and improve long-term resilience.
Photo Credit: soybeans-for-forage
Categories: Ohio, Crops, Hay & Forage, Sustainable Agriculture