USDA workshop to focus on livestock risk management products

The Valdosta Daily Times, Ga.
·2 min read

Dec. 4—VALDOSTA — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is hosting a series of in-person and virtual workshops for producers to learn about new and expanded livestock risk management products.

The "Livestock Roadshow" will highlight policy improvements based on feedback from America's livestock producers, part of the agency's broader outreach and education efforts, the USDA said in a press release. The next event will be held in-person noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Grady County AGRI-Center in Cairo.

"This is a great chance for us to meet with the producers, highlight the many livestock resources we have available, and discuss them directly in-person with the producers" said Davina Lee, director of the RMA Valdosta Regional Office. "There are so many risk management opportunities for livestock producers, some new, some updated and improved ― and we want to take every chance we can to keep the producers up to date so that they can make the best-informed decisions they can to manage their operation and its specific risks. This in-person workshop lets us do just that."

Improvements to livestock insurance options have led to tremendous growth. For example, Livestock Risk Protection grew by 250% in two years, with about 27 million head of cattle insured in 2023. Meanwhile, Livestock Gross Margin grew by 600% in two years, with about 14.5 million head of cattle insured in 2023.

At this and other Livestock Roadshow events, producers can expect to learn more about:

* Dairy Revenue Protection, available nationwide.

* Livestock Gross Margin, available nationwide.

* Livestock Risk Protection, available nationwide.

* Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage, available nationwide.

In addition to this event on Dec. 19 at the Grady County AGRI-Center, throughout the coming months there will be more than a dozen Livestock Roadshow workshops held in-person in each of RMA's 10 regions, as well as several virtual workshops that will be available to everyone across the country. A full listing of upcoming roadshow events and information on how to participate is available on the Livestock Roadshow webpage, rma.usda.gov/Topics/Livestock-Roadshow. Additionally, all producers can subscribe for email messages from RMA.

The Livestock Roadshow builds on other recent outreach and education efforts, the press release said. In 2023, RMA held roadshow events highlighting insurance coverage for specialty crop, organic, and urban producers. In total, more than 3,000 producers and Approved Insurance Providers attended these events. Additionally, since 2021, RMA has invested nearly $13 million in partnerships to advance risk management education.