Get a crop insurance discount by planting cover crops

Farmers who plant cover crops this fall may be eligible for a $5 per acre reduction on their spring 2020 cash crop insurance premiums. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announcing that farmers who were unable to plant a cash crop this year and utilized a cover crop to protect fields in 2019 are still eligible for the discounted insurance premiums. However, in order to qualify, the cover crop acres cannot be enrolled in other state or federal cover crop cost share programs.

“All Iowans have a role to play in improving water quality in our state and downstream,” said Secretary Naig. “Cover crops are proven to reduce nutrient loads and improve soil health. As part of the Nutrient Reduction Strategy, our goal is to have at least 14 million acres of cover crops planted in the state of Iowa. This program represents just one of many funding sources available to help farmers add conservation practices to their fields.”

Planting rye or oat cover crops helps improve the health of the soil and prevents erosion, especially during high-intensity rainfalls. Cover crops are also proven to reduce nitrogen loads by 28-31 percent and phosphorous loads by 29 percent, which helps improve water quality, according to the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy Report compiled by Iowa State University,

It's the latest instance of a joint, three-year demonstration project administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA). It is intended to increase the use of cover crops in Iowa.

Farmers can sign up for the cover crop – crop insurance premium reduction program beginning on Oct. 1, 2019 by clicking here. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 15, 2020.


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content