Sorghum insurance gets major boost from USDA RMA

In a major development for the agricultural sector, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (USDA RMA) has released updates to sorghum crop insurance, set to take effect in 2024. These improvements are expected to significantly bolster sorghum production and aid farmers nationwide. 

A change is the increase in the sorghum price election factor, which will now exceed the corn crop insurance price with a 100.2% multiplier. This historic rise is a direct response to the growing strength of sorghum prices and is aimed at encouraging more extensive grain sorghum cultivation.  

According to Tim Lust, NSP's CEO, this increase is a substantial boon for sorghum farmers, offering enhanced financial protection and potentially higher profits. 

The RMA has streamlined the insurance process for irrigated sorghum silage in key states such as New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The elimination of the prerequisite for a two-year history in irrigated silage is a significant simplification, making it easier for farmers with a background in irrigated grain to switch to sorghum silage. 

The updates also include the removal of the complex written agreement process for irrigated double crop sorghum, thereby facilitating sorghum cultivation after wheat harvests. Craig Meeker, NSP Chairman, commended these advancements and underscored the ongoing efforts to further refine sorghum insurance policies. 

Farmers interested in learning more about how these updates can positively impact their operations are encouraged to contact their local crop insurance agents. These improvements by the USDA RMA not only provide direct support to sorghum farmers but also contribute to the broader growth and sustainability of the sorghum industry.