04/25/06 Crop insurance deadline for nursery crops

Washington Ag April 25, 2006 Next Monday May 1st is the final date for nursery growers to obtain 2007 Multi-Peril Crop Insurance in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Jo Lynne Seufer of the regional Risk Management Office explains: Seufer: "That is primarily for carryover policies, current policies in effect. And it is the final date so growers can change their coverage level if they wish or remove, or add options, to change their basic unit by plant type. It is interesting that a new insurance policy producer can obtain nursery insurance any time of the year, but this May 1st date is definitely for carryover, currently insureds." Seufer says the May 1st deadline also applies to a Pilot program. Seufer: "The Oregon-Washington producers have also the option to obtain a pilot Nursery Growers Price Endorsement contract that would be included within their current insurance policy." So check with your local crop insurance agent. Seufer says PNW nursery insurance numbers continue to grow. The latest numbers available, from 2005, show over 384-million dollars in coverage. I'm Bob Hoff.