The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) will soon offer a new insurance option for ‘conservation-minded’ corn farmers who split-apply nitrogen.

Split-application is done throughout the growing season rather than a single treatment before or during planting.

RMA Acting Administrator Richard Flournoy says the Post Application Coverage Endorsement will provide payments for the projected yield lost when farmers are not able to apply the in-season nitrogen.

“This is important. A lot of folks are already doing this at least to lower input costs. And also cover the environmental side to help prevent nutrient runoff into waterways and ground water. And so we think it’s really good for producers as well as good for the environment.”

It’s for corn farmers with non-irrigated acreage.

“It’ll be available for the 2022 crop year. There will be more details that will come out here in the next couple of months.”

Flournoy says the coverage option was submitted by Illinois Corn Growers, National Corn Growers, Ag-Analytics Technology Company and Meridian Institute and was recently approved.

He says it builds on RMA’s efforts to encourage use of conservation practices including cover crops – through pandemic assistance –  and irrigation practices.

“You know, we came out with a new rice coverage, alternate wetting and drying to cover that type of irrigation practice in rice.”