CROP INSURANCE WORKSHOP SET FOR SEPT. 1

BOWIE, MD (August 9, 2011) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), the University of Maryland Extension, U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency (RMA), and the Center for Agricultural and Natural Resource Policy are jointly sponsoring a Crop Insurance Industry Workshop, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sept. 1, at the Bowie Comfort Inn. Speakers will explore a variety of important topics relating to crop insurance.

Dr. Brian Gould, professor of agriculture economics at the University of Wisconsin, will discuss the Dairy Gross Margin insurance policy. Changes made last year to the policy have gained a lot of interest from dairy farmers. Beginning Oct. 1, additional monies are expected to be available to subsidize new enrollments. Dr. Gould is an expert on dairy marketing and assists dairy farm operators and manufacturers manage their price/cost risk using futures and options markets.

Gene Gantz, RMA risk management specialist, will promote and discuss the new Rainfall Index insurance protection for pasture, hayland and apiculture that is available in Maryland. He will also discuss combination plan  (COMBO) policies for grain farmers and the new swine gross margins protection (income over feed costs).

Patrick McMillan, assistant secretary of MDA, will provide an overview of current crop conditions and an outlook for the near future. This talk will highlight current and potential risks that could affect producers’ demand for certain insurance policies.

Sudeep Mathews, Dorchester County extension educator, will discuss the potato crop in correlation to crop insurance policies. He will highlight recent production changes in the industry and potential risk management issues.

Lorette Picciano, executive director of the Rural Coalition/Coalicion Rural, will address the workshop on outreach to minority farmers. The Rural Coalition is a Washington, D.C.-based alliance of more than 80 regionally and culturally diverse community-based organizations that represent small farmers, farm workers and poor rural communities.

This workshop has been developed for crop insurance agents, adjusters, extension agents, ag lenders, government officials and others in the crop insurance industry. The farm community and general public are also welcome. To receive a registration form, contact Liesl Koch at the University of Maryland, lkoch@arec.umd.edu or call 301 405-1290.

# # #

Follow MDA on Twitter @MdAgDept.