By Blake Jackson
Good news for alfalfa growers! After years of lobbying, the National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance (NAFA) is developing a revenue crop insurance product specifically for alfalfa. This long-awaited program aims to address the limitations of existing yield-based insurance, which doesn't account for revenue losses due to quality issues.
"Alfalfa growers have no protections against revenue losses," says NAFA President Beth Nelson. "If a farmer cuts an exceptional stand of alfalfa and it gets rained on prior to baling, they don’t necessarily lose the yield, but they will lose quality and that subsequently reflects the revenue that they’re able to get for that product.
The new insurance, developed with AgriLogic Consulting and approved by the USDA Risk Management Agency, will focus on revenue protection. A listening session for farmers and industry members is scheduled for June 11th to gather feedback and tailor the product to their needs.
Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtf--gpzMuH9FY1gQ-TFFvoTuz4Vc1wp2A#/registration
Wisconsin is poised to be among the first states to test the pilot program in late 2025. The unique characteristics of alfalfa, harvested multiple times a year and not traded on traditional markets, presented challenges in developing the insurance.
"Without proper risk management tools, securing loans can be difficult," explains Nelson. "This new insurance will give alfalfa growers a safety net similar to what other crops already have, making alfalfa a more competitive choice."
This development is a significant win for the alfalfa industry. With revenue protection in place, farmers can feel more confident planting this valuable and sustainable crop.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-0shut0
Categories: Wisconsin, Crops, Alfalfa