USDA Reminds Hawaii Producers of Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Crop Insurance Sales Closing Date

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds producers in Hawaii that the sales closing date to purchase Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) rainfall index insurance is Dec. 1, 2024, for the 2025 crop year. The PRF program protects livestock producers against feed loss due to lack of precipitation, providing producers on the Big Island of Hawaii with coverage for grazing acres. This expansion was announced earlier this year and is part of USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) efforts to increase and enhance insurance options in Hawaii. Policy documents are now available for the PRF Hawaii program on the RMA website.  

“Producers in Hawaii now have the option to purchase coverage to protect their operation against feed losses due to a lack of precipitation,” said RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger. “The Risk Management Agency is proud to offer this program that is tailored to the unique needs of our producers in Hawaii.” 

PRF is designed to provide insurance coverage on perennial forage acres. The program uses a rainfall index to determine precipitation for coverage purposes and does not measure production or product loss. 

The PRF Hawaii program will use Hawaii Climate Data Portal information and will utilize a five-kilometer by five-kilometer grid. The program will also use a new county base value methodology due to minimal hay production on the island and limited data on grazing lease rates of the Hawaiian cattle industry. 

Pasture, rangeland, and forage covers approximately 55% of U.S. land. Forage grows differently in various areas, so farmers and ranchers need to know which types and techniques work best in their region. The program helps protect a producer’s operation from forage loss risks due to the lack of precipitation. It does not insure against ongoing or severe drought, as the coverage is based on expected precipitation during specific intervals. 

Similar to PRF in the contiguous 48 states, producers on Hawaii’s Big Island must select at least two and up to six intervals to insure their acres. 

To find additional information about the policy, including policy documents, a PRF decision tool, and fact sheet, please visit the PRF-Hawaii webpage.