AUBURN UNIVERSITY — Rainfall, or a lack thereof, is out of the hands of a cattle and forage producer. While producers can't physically plan for drought in the field, there is a way to financially plan through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency's Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) Insurance program.

Adam Rabinowitz, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System agricultural economist, is working across state lines with Extension colleagues at the University of Georgia (UGA) and University of Florida (UF) to educate cow-calf producers on the benefits of the PRF Insurance program. He said this is an insurance program that us targeted to producers of perennial forages for grazing and hay.

"The Rainfall Index (RI) PRF program provides an insurance product that is heavily subsidized and available in each of the 48 contiguous states," Rabinowitz said. "When rainfall is low relative to historical averages, this insurance product will pay indemnities on eligible policies to help producers cover replacement feed costs or lost revenue."

TEACHING ACROSS STATE LINES

To better help producers understand their needs and potential returns from enrollment in the PRF program, Rabinowitz, Will Secor (UGA) and Hannah Baker (UF) are partnering on a series of workshops and teaching tools. The first part of this multiyear educational program is to deliver in-person programs to help producers assess needs and risks.

"Producers will also learn how PRF fits into their operation's overall risk management strategy," Secor said.
Baker said the partnership across Alabama, Georgia and Florida allows Extension professionals to reach a broader producer group and leverage program insights and expertise across the region.

Workshops will be held across three states, starting on Sept. 12. The next session is scheduled for Oct. 3 in Atmore, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Perdido River Farms, located at 5535 Poarch Road. Those interested can register by calling (251) 867-7760.

MORE INFORMATION AND FUTURE PROGRAMMING

To register for an upcoming workshop, and to learn more about PRF insurance, visit prfinsurance.caes.uga.edu/. In 2025, the organizers will develop and deliver online tutorials, webinars and other materials related to PRF use.

This project is supported by the Southern Risk Management Education Center and funded through a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant, number 2024-70027-42471. Collaborators include the Alabama Farmers Federation, the Alabama Cattlemen's Association, the Florida Cattlemen's Association and the Georgia Cattlemen's Association.