DROUGHT
levels are 70 percent, 75 percent, 80 percent, 85 percent and 90 percent. Like with any type of insurance policy, the higher percentage levels cost more. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Economist Justin Benavidez encourages producers to consider PRF. Based in Amarillo, he sees how drought has impacted Southern Plains ranchers. As an example of PRF coverage, he cited a ranching area in Hardeman County in northwest Texas, where forage production is critical. He used USDA- RMA’s PRF Support Tool to calculate coverage levels (see table). “For our example, we’re using a coverage level of 90 percent and a productivity factor of 100 percent,” Benavidez said.“Moreover, we are going to use results from the 2011 year (a terrible drought year) as the sample year, but with 2022 prices.”
Sign up Soon for 2023 PRF policies are sold the year ahead of intended coverage. Coverage for the 2022 range and forage coverage must have been purchased before Dec. 1, 2021. Sign up is through a licensed RMA insurance provider, who likely also features other RMA crop insurance programs. The typical sign-up period is Sept. 1 through Dec. 1 for 2023. “Technically you can sign up when you want,” Tucker said. “But it doesn't make sense to sign up until after Aug. 31. That’s the contract change date deadline from USDA. They can change rates and production value of the land up until then.”
TSCRA President Arthur G. Uhl III
TSCRA Elects New Officers Arthur G. Uhl III, a rancher from the San Angelo area, was elected Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) president during the 145th Cattle Raisers Convention. He is active in the management of Powell Ranch Partners and Ft. McKavett Outfitters, his family ranching and hunting operations. He replaces Hughes Abell of Austin. Carl Ray Polk Jr. of Lufkin was named the new first vice president. Stephen Diebel of Victoria was elected second vice president. The convention featured some 250 vendors at the Cattle Raisers trade show. There were more than 30 educational sessions, as well as various fundraising events. Some $131,000 was raised to support youth programs, $196,000 was raised for the Special Ranges Foundation and $165,000 was raised or pledged to the TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund.
Coverage levels are based on the amount of protection sought. Coverage
In the example from AgriLife’s Justin Benavidez, the USDA-RMA Support Tool shows how the coverage for April-May, June-July and August-September paid off. Remember, a USDA subsidy covers 51% or more of the premium cost. Photo courtesy of Texas A&M AgriLife
The expo was highlighted by a keynote address from former President George W. Bush. Red Steagall, the legendary cowboy poet and country singer, accompanied President Bush in a fireside chat. For more on the convention visit tscra.org .
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