2020 Apple Crop Insurance Deadline Approaching
November 20, 2019 is the sales closing date for the 2020 crop year
The deadline to enroll, cancel, or modify an existing apple crop insurance policy is November 20, 2019 for the 2020 crop year. Apple crop insurance protects a producer’s average crop yields from weather-related issues causing yield loss such as hail, frost/freeze, drought, etc. Producers can choose to insure their apple crop at a catastrophic level (CAT) which protects 50% of their average crop yield and pays at 55% of the price election at a loss; or, at higher coverage levels called “buy-up” which protects 50 to 75% of their average crop yield and 100% of the price election. The 2020 price elections are $11.80 per bushel ($6.49 per bushel for CAT) for “fresh market” conventional and organic apples. Price elections also exist for different varietal groups and processing apples.
Alternatively, those interested in coverage on multiple crops should speak with an agent about Whole Farm Revenue Protection which protects a farm’s adjusted gross revenue from production losses or decline in market prices due to natural causes.
Locate a nearby crop insurance agent at: prodwebnlb.rma.usda.gov/apps/AgentLocator/#/
Important Change to Catastrophic Level Coverage
One big change that occurred through the 2018 Farm Bill is that the administrative fee for CAT level coverage increased from $300 to $655 per crop per county. This price increase means that producers should speak with their crop insurance agent to receive an updated premium quote because under some circumstances it may be more cost effective to purchase buy-up coverage than CAT. Remember, all changes must be made before November 20th and it is the insured’s responsibility to initiate policy changes.
Perspectives from the field
Watch a short video about apple crop insurance from the owners of The Apple Farm, Fairfield Maine:
Watch a video about Whole Farm Revenue Protection from the owner of Circle B Farms, Caribou Maine.