Deadline to Apply for Hay Insurance through NAP Forage Program is Friday March 15th

Morgantown, WV The West Virginia Farm Service Agency (FSA) is reminding producers that the deadline to apply for hay insurance through the NAP Forage program is Friday March 15th.

 

Protect Your Farm’s Hay Crop

 

Hay is West Virginia’s most significant farm crop. Over 16,500 farms harvest 565,000 acres of hay throughout the state with a value exceeding $148 million dollars.

 

The Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) provides risk management and financial assistance to farmers when their crops are damaged by weather related events such as excess heat, cold, excessive moisture, drought, hail, freeze, excessive wind, tornados, hurricanes, lightning, earthquake and flooding.

“We hope every hay producer in the state comes into their local FSA office to sign up for this great program.” said John Perdue, West Virginia Farm Service Agency State Executive Director.

NAP Information

NAP basic coverage is available at 55% of the average market price for crop losses that exceed 50% of expected production. Higher levels of coverage, also known as buy-up coverage, are available, ranging from 50% to 65% of expected production in 5% increments, at 100% of the average market price for all eligible crops except for grazed forage.

When forage quality is affected by an eligible cause of loss, the affected harvested hay yield will be reduced based on the quality as determined by a forage analysis that includes Relative Feed Value (RFV). The producer must elect buy-up coverage to qualify for forage quality loss.

For all coverage levels, the NAP service fee is $325 per crop or a maximum of $825 per producer per county, not to exceed a total of $1,950 for a producer with farming interests in multiple counties. Premiums apply for buy-up coverage. 

Beginning, limited resource, socially disadvantaged, and qualifying veteran farmers or ranchers are eligible to receive basic NAP coverage with no service fee and if additional (buy-up) coverage is elected, a 50% premium reduction will apply when they file form CCC-860 certifying to a status of Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Veteran, or Beginning Farmer or Rancher.  

Producer Responsibilities for NAP

• Apply for NAP for forage crops by March 15th at your local FSA office.
• Provide actual production history records to support your approved yield.
• If a weather event occurs, you must file a notice of loss with your county office within 15 of when the loss becomes apparent.
• Keep records of your hay harvest, such as harvest date, location, and number of rolls or bales, as well as the weight of the bales.
• File an acreage report at the county FSA Office each by July 15.
• If a loss occurs, file an Application for Payment and required documentation, no later than 60 calendar days from the earlier of the date harvest is complete or the STC set normal harvest date of October 30.

 

For more information, contact your local service center or visit the NAP webpage.