Cover Crops

Crop insurance and cover crops have successfully coexisted for decades, as evidenced by the rapid growth in the use of this agronomic practice. Crop insurance recognizes the use of cover crops for erosion control, conservation, and soil improvement.

What is a cover crop?
A cover crop is a crop generally recognized by agricultural experts as agronomically sound for the area for erosion control or other purposes related to conservation or soil improvement.

Additional Information and National Fact Sheets

• 2016 Cover Crops Crop Insurance, Cover Crops and NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines Frequently Asked Questions
• Cover Crops and Crop Insurance Fact Sheet
• Springfield Regional Office Cover Crops Fact Sheet
• St. Paul Regional Office Cover Crops Fact Sheet

Policy

• Common Crop Insurance Policy, Basic Provisions
• Common Crop Insurance Policy, Basic Provisions (17-BR)
• Common Crop Insurance Policy, Basic Provisions (18-BR)

Handbooks

• 2018 Crop Insurance Handbook (Dec 2017)
• 2018 General Standards Handbook (Dec 2017)

• NRCS Guidelines Version 3. Footnote 1
• NRCS Guidelines Version 2. Footnote 2
• NRCS Guidelines Version 1. Footnote 3

Footnotes

1

Footnote 1 is applicable for all crops with a June 30, 2014, contract change date or later, starting with the 2015 crop year.

2

Footnote 2 is applicable for all crops with a June 30, 2013, contract change date or later, starting with the 2014 crop year.

3

Footnote 3 is applicable for all crops with a December 31, 2013, contract change date or later, starting with the 2014 crop year.

Contact Information

Find a crop insurance agent to discuss available options for your farm or ranch.

Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator.

For more information, contact RMA Public Affairs.