The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released more details on its 2017 crop insurance program.

Growers are eligible to insure soybeans if:

• They are grown on insurable acreage;
• Premium rates are provided;
• You have a share; and
• They are planted for harvest as beans.

If  you are insured, you are protected against the following:

• Adverse weather conditions such as hail; frost, freeze, wind drought and excess moisture;
• Failure of irrigation water supply, if caused by an insured cause of loss during the insurance period;
• Fire, if due to natural causes;
• Plant disease and insects, but not damage due to insufficient or improper application of pest or disease control measures;
• Wildlife.

The earliest planting date for 2017 is April 21, with June 10 as the final planting date.

For more information on USDA’s soybean crop insurance program, click here.