The USDA says it issued payments to ag producers affected by recent natural disasters, including $143 million in crop insurance indemnities for Florida producers impacted by Hurricane Milton.

Payments to producers impacted by Hurricane Milton are for those who have federal crop insurance coverage through the Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index.

“Florida farmers, livestock producers and forest landowners have been hit hard by hurricanes this year, and we’re continuing our efforts to help producers recover following hurricanes like Milton,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a news release. “We’ve used a number of flexibilities following hurricanes Debby and Helene, and we’re extending those to producers impacted by Hurricane Milton and future named storms.”

The USDA said producers with federal crop insurance through the Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index and the tropical storm option will see payments from approved insurance providers in the next 30 days.

Those covered do not need to file a claim to receive an indemnity payment under the Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index. The approved insurance provider will issue an indemnity payment if a county is triggered by the index.

The USDA said it issued $776 million in payments under the index this year.

The USDA’s Risk Management Agency authorized emergency procedures to help producers with hurricane-related losses from Hurricane Milton and the impacts of hurricanes Debby and Helene, according to the release. RMA said it is working with crop insurance companies to streamline and accelerate the adjustment of losses and issuance of indemnity payments to policyholders in impacted areas.

Source - https://www.thepacker.com