The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency recently decided it would offer crop insurance coverage for winter wheat in all South Dakota counties for the 2016 crop.

There is a deadline for those interested in taking part in this. Producers wishing to insure their 2016 crop should sign up before September 30, 2015. See contact information.

Lucas Lentsch, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, tells us,

Producers across South Dakota rely on an effective and affordable crop insurance program to manage risk. RMA’s recent decision to expand crop insurance coverage for winter wheat to all South Dakota counties gives producers an additional tool when making planting decisions. Not only is there economic benefit to producers choosing to plant winter wheat as a crop, winter wheat fields can provide essential habitat for many species in our state.

Kelly Hepler, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, adds,

This is great news for the agriculture and hunting communities. Private landowners serve as the primary stewards of land in South Dakota and have the most influence over habitat conditions for a variety of wildlife populations across our state.

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