Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) Insurance
Protect your pasture and forage from drought with PRF rainfall index insurance.
Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) insurance is a pilot area insurance program for land grown for the intended use of grazing by livestock or haying. The product is designed to provide protection for ranchers and farmers against losses due to below average rainfall on a certain area of land.
PRF insurance will pay you an indemnity when the Final Grid Index (Rainfall Index) falls below the trigger value outlined by their coverage level. You establish your coverage level, which will be considered your trigger level that will determine whether an indemnity is payable.
Farmers and ranchers, help protect your livelihood with PRF insurance.
Fill out the form below to learn more. An agent that covers your area will be in touch within 24-48 hours.
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What is PRF insurance?
PRF insurance is an insurance program designed for land grown for the intended use of grazing by livestock or haying. The product protects against yield losses caused by low precipitation relative to a historic average.
Coverage is based on the Rainfall Index, which uses rainfall data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center (NOAA CPC). The program uses a numbered grid system created by the NOAA CPC and not state, county, or other geopolitical boundaries like other Federal crop insurance area insurance plans. Each grid is equal to an area equal to 0.25 degrees in latitude and by 0.25 degrees in longitude.
The PRF insurance program gives farmers and ranchers the ability to help cover the replacement feed costs when a loss of forage for grazing or haying is experienced due to lack of precipitation.
How does PRF insurance Work?
Farmers and ranchers interested in purchasing PRF insurance must select at least two, two-month periods (index intervals) during which precipitation is important to their operation. Historical NOAA CPC gridded data from 1948 to present is used for each index interval and grid ID. The index intervals are:
- January and February
- February and March
- March and April
- April and May
- May and June
- June and July
- July and August
- August and September
- September and October
- October and November
- November and December
Farmers and ranchers will then select a coverage level between 70% and 90% (in 5% increments) that will represent the rainfall index value that will serve as your trigger level. The trigger level will determine whether an indemnity is payable. An indemnity will be payable when the interval index falls below the trigger value.
You should consider the following before considering PRF insurance for your operation:
- RI-PRF does not measure, capture, or use the actual crop production of any producer or any of the actual crop production within the area.
- Indemnity payments are earned by eligible producers only when the Final Grid Index is less than their Trigger Grid Index.
- RI-PRF uses the long-term, historical, gridded, precipitation data for the grid ID and index interval.
- The gridded precipitation data is an interpolated value for the entire grid and cannot be traced to a single point or reporting station. The precipitation received by a producer at a specific location(s) may not match the Final Grid Index.
What is the PRF closing date?
Agricultural producers have until December 1 to make coverage decisions and complete reporting activities for PRF insurance. If you have questions about the closing date for PRF insurance, contact an AllHay representative today.
How much does PRF cost?
The cost of PRF insurance depends on a number of factors. Farmers and ranchers must first make several choices including coverage level, index intervals, irrigated practice, productivity factor and number of acres.
The average cost of PRF insurance to the producer is $3/acre depending on the choices they make on coverage level. Because of the number of variables that will eventually determine cost, it can range from $.80-$10 an acre.
The good news is that there are several options for PRF insurance policy coverage. AllHay works with a network of independent insurance agents in your area that will design a policy to meet your agricultural needs and your budget.
How can I get PRF insurance?
Are you interested in learning more about PRF insurance? The USDA offers PRF support tools including the grid locator, historical indices, and decision support tools to help you determine if PRF insurance is right for you.
Once you have determined that PRF can help mitigate some of the risks involved in your agricultural operation, schedule a call with AllHay below.
We work with a network of local independent PRF insurance agents that serve your area who will find the best policy to meet your needs and your budget. (Please have your total acreage to be insured and acreage type ready before you schedule your call).
Click here to find a local agent and to schedule your call with us!