Annual Forage

What is Annual Forage coverage?

Annual Forage is a risk management program designed to protect your crops against unexpected low rainfall. It covers acreage planted each year for uses such as:

• Grazing
• Haying
• Silage
• Grain or grazing combinations
• Green chop

This program is specifically for annual crops, giving producers confidence when weather conditions are uncertain.

Who can enroll in Annual Forage?

Producers located in the following states are eligible:

• Colorado
• Kansas
• New Mexico
• Nebraska
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• South Dakota
• Texas

If you're operating in one of these regions, Annual Forage could be a strong addition to your risk management strategy.

How does Annual Forage coverage work?

Instead of relying on county-level data, this program uses localized rainfall grids to calculate coverage—making it more precise for your operation.

Here’s how it works:

• Your land is assigned to a grid area that tracks rainfall data.
• You select at least two time periods (index intervals) during the growing season to insure.
• Each interval compares actual rainfall to historical averages.
• If rainfall drops below a selected trigger level, you receive an indemnity payment.

This approach helps ensure your coverage reflects real conditions affecting your fields.

When is the Annual Forage sales closing date?

There is one key deadline for Annual Forage: the sales closing date on July 15.

By this date, you must:

• Complete your application
• Select your coverage level
• Choose productivity factors
• Pick index intervals
• Allocate value percentages

Planning ahead ensures you don’t miss out on coverage for the upcoming season.

What should I know about growing seasons and reporting?

• Coverage is divided into four growing seasons, based on planting dates
• You cannot insure the same acreage in consecutive growing seasons
• There are four acreage reporting dates throughout the year
• Some states may cap productivity factors or value percentages

These rules help maintain program integrity while giving you flexibility to tailor your coverage.

Why choose Annual Forage?

• Protection against unpredictable rainfall
• Flexible coverage tailored to your growing schedule
• Data-driven approach using localized rainfall metrics
• Designed specifically for forage producers