FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                              September 16, 2004

 

For more information contact Jan Eliassen at 410-778-0120.  Information in this release was provided by USDA's Risk Management Agency.

 

Hurricane is sharp reminder of the important crop insurance deadline

 

As the remnants of Hurricane Ivan batter crops waiting to be harvested, farmers across the country have a lot to think about as they face deadlines to sign up for federally subsidized crop insurance.

 

Across the country September 30 is the deadline to sign up for crop insurance on most fall planted crops such as winter wheat, barley, and oats.  It is also the deadline for making any changes to existing policies.

 

It will be weeks before federal officials can fully assess the damage to crops caused by this hurricane and the recent hurricanes in Florida.

 

Insured farmers who experience damage will need to make sure a crop adjuster examines the damage before they continue harvesting.

 

Not all crops, or all types of policies, are available in every state or county.  Producers who want to sign up for crop insurance, or to make any changes to existing policies, must contact a crop insurance agent before September 30.

 

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NCIS is a non-profit trade association representing the private crop insurance industry.