Expanded Crop Insurance Options For NW Hay Growers

Forage producers in the Northwest will soon have new federal crop insurance options.

USDA said beginning with the 2027 crop year, producers in eligible counties in Idaho, Washington and ten other states, can choose revenue protection coverage in addition to traditional yield protection. The new policies are designed to protect against production losses and market price declines.

“We closely collaborated with forage producers and industry stakeholders to develop this expanded policy to provide these coverage options in the areas where it is needed the most,” said RMA Administrator Pat Swanson. “We are dedicated to delivering risk management tools that are responsive to the needs of American farmers and ranchers, and offering this enhanced product to forage producers only strengthens that commitment and continues to put Farmers First.” 

Forage producers in eligible areas will have three plan options under this change: 

Yield Protection (YP): Provides coverage against loss in yield.
Revenue Protection (RP): Provides coverage against loss in revenue due to a yield loss, price decline, or yield loss at higher prices.
Revenue Protection with Harvest Price Exclusions (RP-HPE): Provides coverage against loss in revenue due to a yield loss, decrease in the harvest price below the projected price, or both.

Eligible producers must sign up through a crop insurance agent by the September 30th, 2026, sales closing date. The new coverage will replace the current forage production policy in participating counties.