By Jamie Martin
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has sent a letter urging the Department of Agriculture to reinstate additional crop insurance coverage for prevented planting acres. The request follows USDA’s decision to eliminate the buy-up coverage option for producers.
Prevented planting coverage plays a key role when weather conditions prevent farmers from planting crops on time. Senators emphasized that this insurance tool provides critical financial protection and helps farmers recover from losses caused by factors beyond their control.
The lawmakers recognized USDA’s recent efforts to improve crop insurance programs and reduce administrative challenges. However, they noted that removing prevented planting buy-up coverage creates uncertainty for producers who depend on reliable risk management options.
In past years, Congress has offered disaster assistance to farmers affected by planting delays. Senators explained that this type of aid is not guaranteed and cannot replace the stability provided by crop insurance programs written into federal law.
Federal statutes clearly support the availability of additional prevented planting coverage. According to USDA estimates, removing this option could affect more than 67 million acres nationwide, impacting growers across all states and crop types.
The senators argued that eliminating buy-up coverage weakens the agricultural safety net at a time when farmers face increasing weather-related challenges. Reliable insurance coverage allows producers to plan ahead and protect their operations during difficult seasons.
Lawmakers urged USDA to reverse its decision and restore access to prevented planting buy-up coverage in future crop years. They believe this step would strengthen farm resilience and ensure farmers continue to have access to essential risk management tools.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National