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NEBRASKA WEATHER

Protecting Pastures with Rainfall Based Insurance

Protecting Pastures with Rainfall Based Insurance


By Scout Nelson

Pasture and forage are vital resources for Nebraska’s livestock operations, yet they remain vulnerable to unpredictable weather patterns. Extended drought periods can quickly reduce forage production, leaving producers with difficult decisions such as purchasing costly supplemental feed or reducing herd size.

To help manage these challenges, the USDA offers the Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) Insurance Program. Unlike traditional crop insurance, PRF insurance is based on a rainfall index rather than actual forage production.

When rainfall levels fall below the long-term average for the selected time intervals, participants may receive indemnity payments designed to offset the added costs of hay or feed.

These payments help stabilize cash flow in years with low rainfall, giving ranchers the flexibility to maintain herds without making short-term decisions that could negatively impact future operations.

The program allows producers to customize their coverage, choosing a productivity factor, a coverage level between 70% and 90%, and specific two-month intervals that align with their most critical grazing or haying periods.

Enrollment for PRF occurs annually before December 1, with coverage determined by county-level rainfall data. Although PRF insurance does not guarantee profit, it serves as an effective component of a broader risk management strategy—particularly valuable as climate variability continues to affect forage availability.

For livestock producers who depend on natural grazing or hay production, PRF provides peace of mind by offering financial protection against rainfall shortages.

To learn more about the PRF program, visit cap.unl.edu/forage or contact a local crop insurance agent. A webinar on October 2 will cover PRF results in Nebraska and key considerations for 2026 enrollment. Registration is available at cap.unl.edu/webinars.

Photo Credit:usda

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Categories: Nebraska, Weather

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