Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Insurance Explained
When rainfall doesn’t come, neither does your forage, and that can have serious consequences for ranchers and hay producers. Whether you’re running cattle or cutting hay, drought can hit your bottom line fast.
That’s where Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) Insurance comes in.
PRF is a crop insurance program offered through the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA). But instead of insuring physical crop damage, PRF protects against loss of forage due to low rainfall, using a Rainfall Index, not individual farm visits.
How PRF Works
PRF uses historical rainfall data to set a baseline. When actual rainfall falls below that average in your chosen grid and time period, you may receive an indemnity payment, even if your fields are still green.
You select:
- The grazing or haying acres you want covered
- The index intervals (two-month periods) you want to insure
- The productivity and coverage level that works for your operation
This flexibility makes PRF a good fit for operations big and small.
PRF doesn’t cover every drought-related issue, but it does help offset forage losses that could otherwise hurt your feed supply, hay income, or herd health.
Important Deadline
The Sales Closing Date for PRF is December 1. That means now is the time to review your past weather patterns, talk to your agent, and customize a plan that fits your land and your risk.
Why It Matters
Too many producers wait until drought becomes a crisis before considering risk management. PRF helps you plan ahead and build resilience into your operation, especially when rainfall is unpredictable.
