Across the country, farmers have experienced weather events this year that have made planting a bit of a gamble. With everything from late snowfalls to repeated soaking rains, it’s been difficult for many of you to get your crop in the ground during your ideal planting window.
These events and delays make it even more important that you understand the basics of replants, delayed planting and prevented planting in the crop insurance coverage you’ve purchased.
While the tips below will provide you with a framework for understanding your options, make sure to consult your crop insurance agent directly for the specifics of your farm and policy.
When you’re looking at a less than ideal planting season, it’s important to understand what’s available to help you recover losses. Here’s a quick rundown:
Replant coverage applies when there is existing damage to the planted crop, and you plan to replant the same crop on the same acreage. This coverage allows for reimbursement of the costs of that replant.
To qualify:
File a notice of loss within 72 hours of the cause of loss
Contact your agent before replanting, replant after approval from loss adjuster
Acreage must be (at minimum) the lesser of 20 acres or 20% of the crop unit acres
Acreage must not have been planted prior to the Initial Plant Date
Sometimes called “late planting,” this coverage feature applies when you plant an insurable crop after the crop’s Final Planting Date (FPD). In this window, insurance coverage drops 1% per day for acres planted through the duration of the Late Planting Period (LPP).
To qualify:
Plant during the LPP (typically 25 days or less after the FPD, but be sure to check with your agent.)
Prevented planting applies when you are unable to get the seed in the ground with the proper equipment by the FPD, or within the LPP. This is due to an insured cause of loss (usually a weather event/ events) that is general to the surrounding area, and prevents other farmers in your same area from planting acreage with similar characteristics. This coverage allows for a payment of a percentage of expected revenue.
To qualify:
File a notice of loss within 72 hours after the FPD, or as late as 72 hours after the LPP
Acres must by physically available for planting
Acreage must be at a minimum 20 acres or 20% of the insured crop acres by unit
Acreage planted in at least 1 of the last 4 most recent crop years
File intended acres for each crop by Sales Closing Date for acreage in a new county
If you have to use one of these options above, here are some best practices to ensure that you get the most out of your coverage
If you are concerned that you may need to take advantage of one of these options, make sure to stay in touch with your agent regarding your plan of action. Taking steps, such as replanting, without letting your agent know could lead to confusion, or potentially, you assuming you have certain coverage that you do not actually have
To understand how your coverage can work for you, make sure you have these dates in mind.
Initial Plant Date (IPD): This is the earliest point that a crop can be planted and retain its replant coverage.
Final Plant Date (FPD): This is the final date a crop can be planted and still retain it’s full insurance coverage.
Late Planting Period (LPP): This is a period of time beyond the FPD during which a crop can be planted and still retain some percentage of its coverage.
Farmers are expected to attempt to plant fields that can be reasonably planted through the Final Planting Date for your crop and county. This is especially important in regards to prevented planting coverage.
To ensure that you are properly covered when you need it, make sure you keep detailed records. Precision records are best, but the most important thing to have are all of the little details, such as date, time, input receipts, FSA 578 certification, maps, etc.
For many producers, this has been an extremely wet year and has caused issues with planting. Watch the webinar below to learn how to make the most of your crop insurance coverage when planting takes an unexpected turn.
Replant Existing damage to planted crop and planning to put new seed in the ground
Delayed plant Planted an insurable crop after the final planting date
Prevent plant Unable to get seed in the ground by the final planting date or late planting period
Read on to learn more about our options in this blog post about replanting, delayed planting and prevented planting.
Your FBN Crop Insurance agent can tailor a policy to meet the specific needs of your operation with a variety of coverages and endorsements. Run the numbers with an expert crop insurance agent today.
Call 877-204-4645 or click to learn more.
The purpose of the following material is to promote awareness of risk management concepts and to highlight risk management products, features, benefits and availability. This presentation does not provide full details of policy provisions or approved procedures. Producers should consult with a local agent for specific details and program requirements.
We are an Equal Opportunity Provider. FBN Crop Insurance services are offered by FBN Insurance LLC (dba FBN Insurance Solutions Services LLC in Texas, and FBN Insurance Solutions LLC in California and Michigan) and are only available where FBN Insurance LLC is licensed. FBN membership is not required to purchase through FBN Insurance LLC, but certain features are only available to FBN members. FBN Crop Insurance is currently offered in the following states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY.