Thune, Stabenow Introduce Cover Crop Flexibility Act

On March 12, Sen. John Thune (R-SD) and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced the Cover Crop Flexibility Act of 2020. Supported by ASTA, this legislation would remove the November 1 deadline for harvesting or grazing of cover crops on prevented plant acres, and would allow USDA to include cover crop seed and grazing-related costs when it sets the factor that is used to calculate the prevented planting indemnity, removing that barrier for farmers. Additionally, the bill would direct USDA to conduct a study to examine how the use of cover crops reduces risk of prevented planting and other crop insurance losses. If the study found the use of cover crops does reduce a farmer’s risk, it would allow USDA to provide policies with appropriate lower premiums for farmers using cover crops.

ASTA looks forward to working with the Senate to advance this important legislation through Congress.