Earthtimes, UK 10-12-07 Pennsylvania Agriculture Department Hosts 8th Annual Crop Insurance

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Earthtimes, UK
10-12-07
Pennsylvania Agriculture Department Hosts 8th Annual Crop Insurance
Conference
Author : Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Crop insurance
agents, representatives and extension agents are better able to respond to
farmers' risk management needs following the 8th Annual Pennsylvania Crop
Insurance Conference, said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff.
The conference, which ended Wednesday, provided an opportunity for the
department to meet with leaders in the crop insurance industry and educational
partners to discuss marketing efforts, Farm Bill issues and updates, and new risk
management products.
"Pennsylvania is recognized as a national leader in crop insurance, helping our
producers protect their investments and livelihoods should a crop disaster occur,"
said Wolff. "We were reminded again this year, with 24 counties declared
disaster areas by the U. S. Department of Agriculture, how crop insurance can
help farmers recover from some of their losses."
The 70 conference attendees participated in nine interactive workshops on the
effects of the changing agricultural industry on crop insurance and risk
management.
Eldon Gould, administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Risk
Management Agency, spoke at the conference about the future of crop
insurance, acknowledging Pennsylvania for its efforts to improve the program for
local farmers.
"The role of crop insurance is continuing to expand, allowing farmers to receive
more than loss payments," said Gould. "Crop insurance enables farmers to get
loans approved; helps them aggressively market their crop; and allows them to
plan more reliably for their future."
Among other presenters at the conference:
-- Dr. Bruce Babcock, professor of economics at Iowa State University,
instructed the group about livestock gross margin (LGM) for dairy, a new product
for Pennsylvania's dairy producers;
-- Stephen Frerichs, consultant for AgVantage, spoke about updates to the Farm
Bill;
-- Dr. Ken Bailey, associate professor at Penn State University, provided updates
on the state and national dairy industry;
-- Dr. Laurence Crane, vice president of education and communications for
National Crop Insurance Services, spoke about the changing face of agriculture
and implications for risk management;
-- John Nelson, Western Center for Risk Management Education, spoke about
the benefits of AGR-Lite;
-- Gene Gantz, risk management specialist for the U.S. Department of
Agriculture; John Frey, director of the Center for Dairy Excellence; and Karen
Powell, an agricultural risk management specialist for the Pa. Department of
Agriculture, gave an update for risk and profit management; and
-- Dr. Greg Roth, professor of agronomy at Penn State University, provided an
outlook on energy trends and their impact on farm profitability.
A panel of Pennsylvania producers shared their crop insurance experiences.
Many said that without crop insurance, the drought that plagued much of the
commonwealth this summer would have devastated their businesses. The panel
also underscored the need to constantly improve the insurance program, closing
the gaps in coverage provided to farmers.
"The goal of the department is to educate farmers about the benefits of having
crop insurance and about the crop insurance assistance program, which covers a
portion of the producers' premium to encourage participation," said Wolff. "I am
pleased that Pennsylvania will provide $1.5 million in 2008 to help subsidize
insurance premiums. We are here to facilitate a good working relationship
between farmer and agent, ensuring that our producers are protected in the best
possible way."
Two individuals were honored at the annual conference for their work with crop
insurance. Vaughn Hunter of Carlisle, a crop insurance agent, was honored for
his outstanding service to agricultural risk management, particularly the fruit
industry.
John Nelson accepted recognition on behalf of the Western Center for Risk
Management Education through Washington State University. The center was
instrumental in the expansion of Pennsylvania's crop insurance program, AGRLite, to 18 states.
AGR-Lite is the only state-owned crop insurance product in the nation. The
department created the program in response to many producers who did not
have traditional products available to protect their farms. AGR-Lite is a whole-
farm umbrella policy designed for specialty crop and diversified farm operations.
In 2008, the program will be available in 34 states.
Since 2002, Pennsylvania farmers have received more than $139 million in loss
payments, a net income boost of nearly $100 million after premium payments.
After the recent drought and storm damage in Pennsylvania, loss payments may
reach record highs. Between $40 and $70 million in loss payments are expected
to be paid to farmers this year.
"Crop insurance is the foundation of any risk management plan," said Wolff. "This
year, more than ever, our farmers will need crop insurance to protect their
future."
For more information on crop insurance, contact Karen Powell at 717-787-6041
or visit http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/cropinsurance. To find a crop insurance
agent in your area, visit http://www.rma.usda.gov/.
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