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Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) Rainfall Index insurance is a beta insurance program administered by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation and is subsidized at a rate of 51%. PRF takes a calculated index from your specific crop and grid determines your indemnity. Rainfall indices use weather data from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center (CPC). Each grid is 0.25° latitude by 0.25° longitude (approximately 12 miles by 12 miles).

 

Eligible policyholders include owners, operators, landlords, and tenants. Coverage levels range from 70 – 90% in 5% increments and protection factors range from 60 – 150%.

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The FCIC issues a final grid index for insured grids at the end of the insurance period. The final grid index is based on precipitation received during the index interval for the selected grid and is expressed as a percentage. An index of 100 represents average precipitation, an index below 100 represents below average precipitation, and an index above 100 represents above average precipitation. The trigger grid index is the result of multiplying the expected grid index by the coverage level.

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You will receive a payment only when the final grid index is less than the trigger grid index, regardless of your actual individual experience.

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Rainfall PRF covers pasture, rangeland, or forage for perennial haying and/or grazing purposes. It was designed to help protect a producer’s operation from the risks of forage loss due to the lack of precipitation. PRF is available in all counties in the 48 contiguous states. Noncontiguous acreage in a grid must establish a point of reference by intended use (grazing or haying), irrigation practice, and organic practice.

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Rainfall PRF plans cover a decline in rainfall indices. To qualify, select at least two rainfall intervals per year. The intervals cannot overlap.

• Jan. – Feb.

• Feb. – Mar.

• Mar. – Apr.

• Apr. – May

• May – Jun.

• Jun. – Jul.

• Jul. – Aug.

• Aug. – Sept.

• Sept. – Oct.

• Oct. – Nov.

• Nov. – Dec.

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In this Rainfall PRF example, assume the final grid index is 60, the county base value (CBV) is $9.60, the coverage level is 90%, the protection factor is 120%, and the trigger grid is 90. The insured has a 100% share.

CBV × coverage level × protection factor = protection $9.60 × 90% × 120% = $10.37 per acre

(Trigger grid - final grid) ÷ trigger grid = factor (90 - 60) ÷ 90 = .333

Factor × protection × share = indemnity .333 × $10.37 per acre × 100% = $3.45 per acre