For Immediate Release: March 1, 2013

Media Contact:

Jennifer Cole

Montana USDA Farm Service Agency

(406) 587-6786

Bozeman, Mont., March 1, 2013 – USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Bruce Nelson reminds Montana farmers and ranchers that the sales closing deadline of March 15 for most non-insurable 2013 spring planted and forage crops, including grass for hay and grazing, is fast approaching.

Application deadline for the 2013 Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) for all non-insurable crops except for honey and value loss crops is March 15, 2013. The 2013 sales closing dates have already ended for honey (Dec. 1, 2012) and value-loss crops (Sept. 1, 2012).

NAP provides financial assistance to eligible producers when natural disasters cause catastrophic loss of production (low yield) or prevented planting of an eligible noninsurable crop by providing coverage equivalent to the catastrophic risk protection level of crop insurance. In the event of a natural disaster, NAP covers the amount of loss greater than 50 percent of the expected production based on the producer’s approved yield and reported acreage.

"Montana farmers and ranchers who have not purchased NAP coverage are reminded of the March 15th sales closing date for most 2013 NAP crops," Nelson said. "In Montana, the most common NAP crops are grazing and various forage crops but all producers are encouraged to contact their local county office to determine crop eligibility."

NAP is available on commercially-produced agricultural commodity crops for which the catastrophic risk protection level of crop insurance is not available. If the Risk Management Agency (RMA) offers coverage for a specific crop and intended use in the county, then NAP coverage is not available for that crop.

Eligible producers can apply for coverage using form CCC-471, Application for Coverage. Producers must file the application and pay the applicable service fee on or before the application closing date for the applicable crop. The service fee is the lesser of $250 per crop or $750 per producer per administrative county, not to exceed a total of $1,875 for a producer with farming interests in multiple counties.

For more information on NAP and other FSA programs, contact your local FSA office and visit us online at www.fsa.usda.gov/mt.

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