With the ongoing election uncertainty and the newly implemented lockdowns in many states due to COVID-19, our attention is certainly focused on some big issues facing our nation.

Combined with the day-to-day demands of running a ranch and a business, it might seem like you don’t have much extra time in the day to pay attention to other external things that might impact your cattle enterprise in the years to come.

Currently, the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is asking for producer input regarding proposed changes to the Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) Rainfall Index Crop Insurance Program.

The deadline to submit comments has been extended to Dec. 21. The final program will be determined based on public feedback and will be fully implemented for the 2022 crop year.

“We want to be sure that the recommendations RMA implements are good for the industry and good for livestock producers,” said RMA Administrator Martin Barbre, in a press release. “We are always looking for feedback and making adjustments to ensure that our insurance products protect producers and help them manage their risk, including lack of rainfall, and protect the integrity of the program.”

The proposed changes would not only impact the PRF program, but also the Rainfall Index programs including Apiculture and Annual Forage.

Related:An update on U.S. cattle exports and imports

Recommendations being considered include:

The complete details of the plan are online here for public review.

Comments may be submitted via email to [email protected] or by mail to Director, Product Administration and Standards Division, Risk Management Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 419205, Kansas City, MO 64133-6205.

Additionally, the USDA has a resource page for producers as they navigate through the coronavirus crisis. Click here for an overview of services available, which include information on food assistance, dumped milk, crop insurance flexibilities, farm loan flexibilities, commodity loan flexibilities, crop acreage reporting and animal mortality.

The opinions of Amanda Radke are not necessarily those of beefmagazine.com or Farm Progress.