{"id":2022,"date":"2020-09-15T19:23:16","date_gmt":"2020-09-15T19:23:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agrilife.org\/texasrowcrops\/?p=2022"},"modified":"2020-09-15T19:23:16","modified_gmt":"2020-09-15T19:23:16","slug":"guar-crop-insurance-usda-rma-feasibility-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agrilife.org\/texasrowcrops\/2020\/09\/15\/guar-crop-insurance-usda-rma-feasibility-study\/","title":{"rendered":"Guar & Crop Insurance:\u00a0 USDA-RMA Feasibility Study"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dr. Calvin Trostle, Extension Agronomy, TAMU Dept. of Soil & Crop Sciences, Lubbock, (806) 746-6101, ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

September 9, 2020<\/p>\n

Guar is arguably the most heat-tolerant, drought-tolerant summer annual row crop grown in Texas.\u00a0 Current production regions are the South Plains and the northern Rolling Plains.\u00a0 For information on guar production resources for these drier regions of Texas view https:\/\/lubbock.tamu.edu\/programs\/crops\/other-field-crops\/guar\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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In Fall 2018 USDA\u2019s Risk Management Agency (RMA) initiated a review of ~100 minor fruit, vegetable, and other crops for possible study for federal program crop insurance.\u00a0 AgriLife Extension with Guar Resources, Brownfield (the sole buyer of U.S. grown guar grain) coordinated grower, field, and processor visits for RMA staff.\u00a0 Public meetings were held in Vernon and Brownfield to receive grower feedback.\u00a0 Also, guar farmers wrote comments to RMA about what program crop insurance would mean.<\/p>\n

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Despite consideration of high-value specialty crops, guar was chosen for RMA\u2019s further review for potential program crop insurance.\u00a0 RMA called for proposals for a 19-month feasibility study.\u00a0 This contract was awarded to Agralytica, Alexandria, Virginia.<\/p>\n

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Agralytica (president Mr. Andre Williamson, awilliamson@agralytica.com<\/a>, office (703) 739-9090, ext. 121) is currently gathering information from guar farmers and industry.\u00a0 Phone\/online listening sessions occurred August 28 & 31.\u00a0 The outcome of Agralytica\u2019s report to RMA will influence if guar may enter a three-year pilot program in 20 to 30 counties in west Texas and southwest Oklahoma.<\/p>\n

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Upcoming In-Person Guar Listening Meetings<\/u><\/p>\n

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Agralytica has scheduled face-to-face grower meetings to receive additional input from guar farmers (even if you have not grown recently) and allied industry.\u00a0 Feedback is also sought from FSA, regional crop insurance and ag. finance staff, and guar industry personnel.<\/p>\n

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The meetings are open to the public (provided attendees follow required Covid-19 safety precautions):<\/p>\n