WASHINGTON, Jan 25, 2011 - RMA Deputy Administrator Michael Alston spoke to crop insurance agents and other agribusiness professionals on January 18 at the North Dakota State University Extension Service’s 18th Annual Crop Insurance Conference in Fargo, ND.

In his presentation, Alston gave a general crop insurance update and spoke about the new Standard Reinsurance Agreement (SRA) and other RMA accomplishments of the past year. Alston also touched on the topics of program integrity and technology, and agent compensation.

RMA Deputy Administrator Michael Alston speaking at the 18th Annual Crop Insurance Conference in Fargo

Also presenting at the conference were Mary Alonzo, Director of RMA's Actuarial and Product Design Division, who talked about the COMBO rule, and Billings Regional Office Director Doug Hagel, who spoke about prevented planting and wheat quality.

The goal of the conference was to help participants integrate crop insurance tools with other risk management tools, understand major issues in the crop insurance industry, and highlight new risk management products.