Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) insurance is a risk management tool that provides payments to farmers and ranchers during times of drought. This coverage is subsidized and dependent on the experience of an area-based grid. With the help of an expert High Plains Farm Credit crop insurance agent, producers that rely on grazing and haying for livestock can customize coverage for added protection.

High Plains PRF Insurance Coverage

Protect Your Profits When Grazing and Haying Livestock

As a producer, you know the importance of precipitation when it comes to feeding livestock. Whether grazing or haying, too little rainfall can lead to loss of cash flow through destocking or supplementing forage.

When the weather’s unpredictable, High Plains Farm Credit helps you prepare with Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) insurance coverage.

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Understand PRF Insurance Coverage

PRF insurance coverage is a risk management tool that helps balance the uncertainty of grazing and haying livestock. It protects your profits during dry conditions by providing indemnity payments when average precipitation levels fall below the Rainfall Index (PRF-RI). These rainfall levels are based on a 70-year historic average and the experience of an area-based grid.

When purchasing coverage, producers select a trigger grid (coverage level) as a percentage of the expected rainfall index. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose a minimum of two and a maximum of six coverage intervals of two months each. Producers receive payments if rainfall levels during a selected two-month index interval drop below the PRF-RI and the trigger grid index.

The calculation of payment is based on the percentage of deviation from the grid, county base value per acre by crop type, and the producer-selected productivity factor. Premiums are dependent on coverage level and the variability of precipitation during the two-month index interval.

Explore the Benefits of PRF

Get access to our team of experts, dedicated to help you customize the level of PRF insurance suited to the needs of your operation. Throughout the process, you’ll experience:

When you apply for coverage, you can elect a unique coverage level, two or more index intervals, and a productivity factor.

PRF is a self-funding program. If you receive indemnity payments, they are first applied to your premiums. This means you may pay no premiums out of pocket.

The USDA offers subsidized premiums. They differ based on coverage level and decrease as the coverage level increases.
Screenshot of the USDA's PRF Insurance Rainfall Index Support Tool that includes an interactive map, grid locator, historical indexes, a decision support tool, and estimated indemnities.

What Is the PRF-RI?

The PRF-RI is an area-based grid system, formed in line with the equator and maintained by the NOAA. Each grid within the index is approximately 0.25 x 0.25 degrees (or 17 x 17 miles).

The NOAA monitors precipitation across the grid and uses it to establish the expected grid index and final grid index.

A grid ID number marks all insured acres within that area. You can determine the grid ID number for your land using the USDA support tool.

Purchase PRF Insurance Coverage

When to Purchase Coverage (Before December 1!)

Producers can purchase coverage throughout the year.

However, the sales closing date is December 1, before the start of the crop year. Reach out to our team by November 29 to ensure that your operation is protected with PRF and other options for your livestock.

How to Purchase Coverage

Our certified agents will help to determine an optimal coverage plan based on your specific needs. Contact us today to learn more about the program or to get started!

Headshot of Cory Johnson, Vice President Crop Insurance

Cory Johnson

VP Crop Insurance

785-656-0124

Headshot of Paige Hrabe, Crop Insurance Agent

Paige Hrabe

Crop Insurance Agent

785-259-2898

Frequently Asked Questions About PRF

Have questions about how PRF works and whether it’s the right choice for your operation? Check out frequently asked questions below and contact the team to discuss details!

Pasture, Rangeland, Forage is crop insurance for ranchers who experience increased costs when grazing or haying cattle during a period of dry weather.

This risk management tool provides indemnity payments when average precipitation levels fall below an expected rainfall index model.

When purchasing coverage, you’ll choose anywhere from two to six coverage intervals of two months each. These intervals should cover periods of time in which rainfall is most important to your operation. You’ll also select a coverage level as a percentage of historic rainfall average (typically 70 to 90 percent). Finally, you’ll choose a productivity factor for your specific property.

When rainfall drops below the trigger grid established by the historic rainfall average, you may automatically receive indemnity payments.

PRF is area-based insurance, meaning that coverage is not dependent upon only your property. Instead, the expected grid index and final grid index are established by NOAA CPC data. Rainfall levels are monitored during the selected two-month coverage interval and then compared with the 70-year average to determine if the amount of precipitation falls below your trigger for payments.

Understanding the broad experience of rainfall in your grid can help you determine the best plan for your operation and working alongside crop insurance experts with experience in your area can provide an additional layer of insight.

PRF requires no upfront premium payments and is a self-funding program. If you receive insurance indemnity payments, you may pay no premiums out of pocket.

Premiums are calculated based on coverage level and the variability of precipitation during the selected coverage interval. Greater variability in precipitation patterns typically results in higher premium payments for the producer. A higher producer-selected coverage level may also increase premiums.

Conversely, PRF payments are calculated based on the percentage rainfall deviates from the grid, county base value per acre by crop type, and the producer-selected productivity factor.

Yes. Pasture, Rangeland, Forage insurance is a government subsidized program. Subsidies of premiums range from 51 percent to 59 percent and decrease as the level of coverage increases.

PRF policies are intended for those that own or have insurable interest in the livestock. You must be able to provide records demonstrating this interest and that you grazed the livestock. Valid documents can include livestock inventories from within the state, sales documents from offspring, documentation of purchase, and more.

The final date to lock in your PRF insurance for next year is December 1, 2025.

Contact Paige or Cory to learn from their years of expertise in supporting customers with PRF policies. They can help you through the process of selecting the right coverage intervals, coverage levels, and productivity factor to properly protect your grazing and haying operation.