Annual Forage: What is it?

In the world of agriculture and livestock production, staying ahead of unpredictable weather and feed shortages is crucial. One powerful tool more producers are turning to is Annual Forage Insurance—but what exactly is “Annual Forage,” and why is this program becoming more important each year?

Annual Forage refers to crops that are planted with the specific purpose of providing feed for livestock within a single growing season. These crops include a wide variety, such as grasses, small grains (like oats and rye), legumes (like clover and peas), and mixed cover crop blends. They are not harvested for grain; they’re used for grazing, haying, silage, or green chop.

Annual forage plays a critical role in:

Whether you’re a cow-calf producer, custom grazer, or forage grower, Annual Forage insurance gives you the adaptability you need to keep up with ever-changing conditions.

Offered through the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA), the Annual Forage Insurance Program helps manage the financial risk associated with below-average precipitation during the growing period. It’s especially valuable for producers in drought-prone regions.

This Rainfall Index-based insurance doesn’t require proof of crop loss in the field. Instead, it uses data from NOAA to determine if rainfall in your area fell below historical averages. Silveus agents use a tool called RageCalc, which will allow them to view a 70-year historical data chart, to determine the best coverage options for your operation. If it does fall below the average and your coverage level, a loss would be triggered with no adjuster visits required.

The RMA has made several improvements to make the Annual Forage program more effective and user-friendly. Recent changes include:

• Expanded Availability: More counties across the country are now eligible to participate.
• Revised Productivity Factors: Producers can better tailor coverage to their actual forage production expectations.
• Improved Rainfall Index Tool: Enhanced accuracy means more reliable assessments of precipitation patterns and better alignment with growing seasons.

These updates reflect the USDA’s commitment to helping producers adapt to increasingly volatile weather patterns.

Unpredictable weather. Rising input costs. Market pressure. Livestock producers today face a lot of uncertainty—and having a risk management strategy in place isn’t just smart, it’s essential. The Annual Forage program offers peace of mind by helping to stabilize income when the rain doesn’t come and the grass doesn’t grow.

Whether you’re already enrolled or just learning about it for the first time, Annual Forage Insurance is a tool worth considering. With the right resources and guidance, you can turn a volatile season into one with more certainty and control.

Ready to get started? Connect with one of our agents to learn more!