Ag Policy Blog

The Agriculture Department's Risk Management Agency announced Monday it is expanding the pilot Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) plan for hemp.

The expansion, as well as other improvements to the plan, will begin in the 2021 crop year.

“We are pleased to expand the hemp program and make other improvements for hemp producers,” said Risk Management Agency Administrator Martin Barbre. “Hemp offers exciting economic opportunities for our nation's farmers, and we are listening and responding to their risk management needs.”

The changes include:

- Expanding the program — New states included with select counties in Arizona, Arkansas, Nevada and Texas;

— Thirteen new counties in states with existing coverage: In Colorado, Conejos, La Plata, Moffat, Routt, and San Miguel counties; in Kentucky, Kenton and Whitley counties; in New Mexico, San Miguel and Valencia counties; Houghton County, Mich.; Granite County, Mont.; Scott County, Tenn.; Alleghany, Va.

- Allowing broker contracts for hemp grain

-Adjusting program, reporting and billing dates — Sales closing, cancellation, production reporting and termination dates adjusted to match dates of similar crops

— Acreage Reporting Dates adjusted based on regional final planting dates

— Premium billing dates for all states changed to August 15

House Ag Chair to be Nominated Thursday

The House leadership will decide Thursday who to back for chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, a committee spokesman said today.

The two candidates are Reps. David Scott, D-Ga., and Jim Costa, D-Calif.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn. lost his bid for reelection. Scott ranks next in seniority, and Peterson has endorsed him.

Costa ranks third in seniority, and has been endorsed by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and many agriculture groups.

After the 117th Congress is seated in early January, the full caucus will vote on the leadership's candidates.

Jerry Hagstrom can be reached at jhagstrom@nationaljournal.com

Follow him on Twitter @hagstromreport

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