Closeup of corn seedlings with cover crop for conservationPer Managers Bulletin MGR-21-003, the COVID-19 pandemic made it financially difficult for many producers to maintain cover crop systems. As a result, on behalf of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, RMA is creating the Pandemic Cover Crop Program (PCCP) to help agricultural producers impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak.

PCCP provides premium support to eligible producers who insured their spring crop and planted a qualifying cover crop during the 2021 crop year. The premium support is $5 per acre but no more than the total premium owed.

To receive premium support, producers must report qualifying cover crop acres to the Farm Service Agency using the Report of Acreage form (FSA-578) by June 15, 2021, which is distinct from the normal acreage reporting date. The cover crop fields reported on the Report of Acreage form must match what the producer reported to their insurance company for Federal crop insurance policies to receive a benefit.

AIPs (ProAg) will receive the amount of premium reduction due to this program from RMA and adjust applicable participants billing statements to reflect the reduction in premium owed by the amount calculated by RMA.

Please click on the following link to view the Manager’s Bulletin in full: MGR-21-003 COVID-19 Pandemic Cover Crop Program (PCCP).