NEWS
RMA Addresses PRF Schemes
Recently, various schemes have been devised connecting, directly or indirectly, livestock producers enrolled in USDA’s Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) program to investors and/or lending-type entities. While the specifics vary, the livestock producer generally...
USDA’s Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Program Continues Growth
USDA’s Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Program (PRF) acres have grown by 41 million acres in 2023, down only slightly from 45 million acres...
West megadrought worsens to driest in at least 1,200 years
Originally published by AP News By SETH BORENSTEIN The American West’s megadrought deepened so much last year that it is now the driest in at least 1,200 years and is a worst-case climate change scenario playing out live, a new study finds. A dramatic drying in 2021 —...
It’s the only wool testing lab in America
Originally published 01 May 2021 in the Deseret News When COVID-19 swept into the United States last year, the domestic supply chain for food and all manner of products took a tectonic hit, underscoring just how vulnerable the country is when it comes to getting goods...
USDA Improves Livestock Crop Insurance Policies with New Options
News Release WASHINGTON, April 28, 2021 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is updating livestock insurance policies to improve options for producers and to create additional opportunities for producers to participate. USDA’s Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) updates to...
Biden isn’t banning meat, USDA chief says
Originally published by Politico: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/26/biden-not-banning-meat-usda-484609 Conservative lawmakers and commentators spread false claims that Biden’s recent pledge to curb greenhouse gas...
USDA Accepts Changes Proposed by Ranchers Insurance
A call in a parking lot. What started out three years ago as a conversation in a parking lot has culminated with a major overhaul of USDA’s Livestock Risk Protection (LRP). Three years ago, Brandon Willis from Ranchers Insurance reached out to the owner of LRP...
USDA Announces Major Changes to Feedlot Insurance Program
LGM Changes Article 1.19.2021
Adding Red Seaweed To Cow Feed Could Cut Bovine Flatulence
To read the full article click here.
Ag Leaders from Montana weigh in on Vilsack’s return as Secretary of Agriculture
Montana Ag Network askes leaders about the return to the Secretary of Agriculture. To read the article or watch the video click here.
Livestock Risk Management and LRP Updates
On November 12, 2020 the national Extension Risk Management Education Program and USDA hosted a webinar to educate producers on the new an improved Livestock Risk Management and Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) updates in order to help producers utilize the programs...
Comments in Response the Pasture, Rangeland and Forage Review
In September USDA release a review of the Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) and asked for comments regarding the review and program as well. Brandon has submitted his comments and you can read them here.
Pasture, Rangeland and Forage Program Review
USDA contracted with a private firm to review the current Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) program for any improvements that might could be made and how effective the program is. The full report can be read by clicking here.
Changes to USDA’s Livestock Gross Margin transform the product
On July 19, 2020 USDA announced changes to their Livestock Gross Margin for Cattle insurance (LGM-Cattle) policy. These changes are significant, reducing costs up to 50%. Feedlot operators as well as producers who retain ownership of livestock until slaughter could...
USDA Announced BIG changes to Livestock Gross Margin for Cattle and Swine
On July 20, 2020 USDA announced changes to improve the Livestock Gross Margin insurance product for Cattle and Swine. To read the full press release click here. To learn more about the program visit our website.
USDA’s Livestock Risk Protection(LRP) Deserves a Second Look
USDA’s insurance products have proven successful for crop farmers. Often providing a lifeline after natural disasters. Yet, for all its successes there has never been a widely used product to help cattle producers manage price risk. That could be changing due to recent improvements to Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) plan of insurance. USDA has recently made some changes that will improve LRP and make it a better program.
Improvements Livestock Risk Protection (LRP)-Cattle
USDA announced changes regarding further improvements to their Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) plan of insurance. The two changes include: Reducing the premium around 5% Allow premiums to be paid after the coverage ends, rather than upfront The changes approved are...
Western Priorities in the 2018 Farm Bill
The Western United States accounts for just over half of the cropland acres and almost 90 percent of the pastureland acres in the United States. In terms of livestock, almost half of the dairy cows, 60 percent of beef cows, and more than 75 percent of cattle on feed...
Podcast: Signal to Noise with Jim Weisemeyer on USDA Coronavirus response.
https://www.agweb.com/article/signal-noise-was-usda-slow-actWas USDA a little TOO Slow to act? In this week's DC Signal to Noise Jim Weisermeyer takes an in depth look at how the current USDA administration has responded to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Podcast
Consider Livestock Risk Protection in today’s market.
Recent market volatility due to COVID-19, commonly called Coronavirus, is causing cow-calf producers concern. Many market experts are optimistic market fundamentals coupled with recent trade deals will result in stronger prices this fall. However, with current export markets such as South Korea now impacted by COVID-19 and potential export markets such as China, futures prices have fallen.
Agriculture Provisions of the U.S.-China Economic and Trade Agreement
This paper provides an overview of the agricultural provisions of the U.S.-China Economic and Trade Agreement (Agreement) and discusses how those provisions will be reflected in upcoming USDA commodity trade forecasts.
Here is What You Should Know about PRF
You have probably heard about USDA’s Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Insurance (PRF). You may wonder if it’s something you should utilize. From 2013-2017, I oversaw USDA’s insurance programs for the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Overseeing a program provides a different perspective, you see its strengths and weaknesses.
Advice for my dad if he were a dairy farmer
I GREW up on a sheep ranch you don’t incorporate Dairy-RP into in Utah before leaving to work in your business plan, odds are you Washington, D.C., where I oversaw may regret it. Margins are too tight many of USDA’s farm programs. and markets are too volatile to man-...
AGree Transforming Food & Ag Policy
AGree The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Insurance Program.
Local Effort Leads to Overhaul of USDA’s Livestock Insurance
Laketown, Utah, April 25, 2018: USDA recently announced significant improvements to the Livestock Risk Protection Insurance Plan (LRP), a program that allows cattle producers to insure against unexpected price declines. LRP allows producers to insure between 70% and...
USDA’s FCIC Insurance Board has Unique Opportunity to Help Livestock Producers
Little-known insurance program could be producers’ lifeline during current market volatility. It’s a challenging time for agriculture. Trade wars are brewing. Prices are down. Interest rates are going up. Producers are worried about their bottom- line. We often blame...
Utah Public Radio: Will The USDA’s $12 Billion Package Shield Farmers From A Trade War?
Brandon was recently interviewed by Utah Public Radio regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture's package to shield farmers from the effects of trade disputes. The interview and accompanying article were originally posted on the Utah Public Radio website, upr.org....
Improved Rangeland Insurance Could Provide Idaho Ranchers Over $60 Million During Droughts
Nationwide acreage enrolled increased 46 percent in 2017 Most Idaho ranchers are missing out on the benefits that the improved Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) could provide to their bottom line. The improved PRF is the first USDA insurance program allowing...
Rangeland Insurance Proves Value During 2017 Montana Drought
The improved Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) program has proven to be an effective risk management tool for ranchers during this year’s drought. Analysis shows that in 2017, in drought-stricken parts of Montana, for every $1 spent on premium, $5 was paid in...
Listen to Brandon’s Latest Radio Interview
Listen as Brandon Willis discusses the Heritage Foundation's misleading narrative about farm policy and addresses several key discoveries from his recent study that set out to clarify the facts.
Oklahoma Farm Report Article
The Oklahoma Farm Report and Farm Policy Facts wrote about our recent study that exposes Heritage Foundation's misleading narrative about farm policy. You can read the Oklahoma Farm Report article below. To read the full study, click here. To read the seven key points...
How PRF Has Worked In Montana
Montana ranchers are reminded that the annual sign up for the 2018 Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) program ends November 15th. The improved PRF is the first federal crop insurance program allowing ranchers to manage their risks during short-term drought. PRF is...
Listen To Agri-Talk’s Interview With Brandon Willis
Listen as Brandon discusses several topics ranging from farm policy to crop insurance on the Agri-Talk radio show. AgriTalk is a radio program for rural America, providing information that connects producers with consumers and currently airs on 70 stations throughout...
Improving Cash Flow During Short-Term Drought
Calf prices and precipitation are two key factors impacting the profitability of ranchers in the West. The improved Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) crop insurance program is a relatively new program designed to address the reduced cash flow when snow or rainfall...
How PRF Has Worked In Utah
Utah ranchers are reminded that the annual sign up for the 2018 Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) program ends November 15th. The improved PRF is the first federal crop insurance program allowing ranchers to manage their risks during short-term drought. PRF is...
How PRF Has Worked In Nevada
Nevada ranchers are reminded that the annual sign up for the 2018 Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) program ends November 15th. The improved PRF is the first federal crop insurance program allowing ranchers to manage their risks during short-term drought. PRF is...
How PRF Has Worked In Wyoming
Wyoming ranchers are reminded that the annual sign up for the 2018 Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) program ends November 15th. The improved PRF is the first federal crop insurance program allowing ranchers to manage their risks during short-term drought. PRF is...
How PRF Has Worked In Idaho
Idaho ranchers are reminded that the annual sign up for the 2018 Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) program ends November 15th. The improved PRF is the first federal crop insurance program allowing ranchers to manage their risks during short-term drought. PRF is...
Crop Insurance for Today’s Rancher
Northern Ag Network
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Brandon Willis
CONTACT
Ranchers Insurance LLC
brandon@ranchersinsurance.com
bret@ranchersinsurance.com
trevor@usdainsurance.com
(435) 213-0463
Laketown, UT
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