Widespread weather events such as flooding, excessive rainfall, and drought over recent years have resulted in significant prevented planting claims under the Federal crop insurance program. Given these extreme weather patterns and the need to provide producers ample opportunities to protect the nation’s natural resources, the Risk Management Agency has re-evaluated the interaction between cover crops and the Federal crop insurance program. Cover crops provide multiple benefits to current and future cropping systems, such as preventing soil and wind erosion, improving the soil’s physical and biological properties, and suppressing weeds. These benefits are especially important when soil is left bare after a prevented planting situation.

Currently, throughout Federal Crop Insurance Corporation’s (FCIC) approved procedures for cover crops and prevented planting, November 1 is used as a reference point for when a cover crop may be hayed, grazed, or cut for silage, haylage, or baleage. For example, a cover crop planted after the Late Planting Period for a crop that was prevented from being planted may be hayed, grazed, or cut for silage, haylage or baleage on or after November 1, and the producer may still receive a full prevented planting payment. If the cover crop is hayed, grazed, or cut for silage, haylage, or baleage before November 1, or harvested for grain or seed at any time, the cover crop is considered a second crop and the producer’s prevented planting payment will be reduced by 65 percent.

As defined in the Common Crop Insurance Policy (CCIP) Basic Provisions, a cover crop is a crop generally recognized by agricultural experts as agronomically sound for the area for erosion control or other purposes related to conservation or soil improvement. In accordance with the Special Provisions, corn planted on acreage following a crop that has been prevented from being planted is not considered a cover crop.

For the 2021 and succeeding crop years, the November 1 date in FCIC procedure, as it relates to haying, grazing, or cutting for silage, haylage, or baleage, has been rescinded. A cover crop planted on acreage claimed as prevented from being planted can be hayed, grazed, or cut for silage, haylage, or baleage at any time without a reduction to the prevented planting payment, provided the insured meets all other policy provisions. However, a cover crop harvested for grain or seed at any time will result in a prevented planting payment reduction in accordance with section 15(f)(2) of the CCIP Basic Provisions.

DISPOSAL DATE:
December 31, 2021