The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making changes to crop insurance aimed at helping farmers cope with rising production costs and ongoing market uncertainty.

USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce says the agency has announced new crop insurance flexibilities designed to improve cash flow for producers during harvest.

Among the changes, USDA’s Risk Management Agency is giving farmers up to 60 additional days to pay their crop insurance premiums. The agency is also restoring the option for insured producers to purchase an additional five percent prevented planting coverage.

Fordyce says the updates came in direct response to feedback from farmers and agricultural organizations, which have requested greater flexibility during challenging economic conditions.

He says USDA continues to look for ways to improve program delivery, speed up assistance, and provide additional flexibility that can strengthen producers’ financial outlook.

Farmers are encouraged to contact their local crop insurance agent to learn how the changes may affect their individual coverage.