The use of Pasture Range and Forage Insurance in Nebraska has increased significantly over the last several years as producers have used this tool to help offset forage production losses due to lack of precipitation. In 2025, over 315 million acres of perennial forage production was insured for precipitation in the United States. What many producers don’t realize is that this insurance is available for all perennial forage crops, including alfalfa, sub-irrigated meadows, and even irrigated pasture.
The thought of buying precipitation insurance for hay production on sub-irrigated meadows and irrigated perennial forages often doesn’t come to mind for many producers. However, when it doesn’t rain, sub-irrigated meadows produce less, and more irrigation water is needed to get the same level of forage production under a pivot, increasing pumping and equipment costs. For those in parts of the state with water allocations in place, a lack of precipitation directly affects the amount of forage that can be grown under limited irrigation.
An article titled "Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Insurance: Trends, Takeaways, and Sign-Up for 2026 Coverage" highlights the following statistics on pasture, rangeland, and forage Insurance.
- National PRF participation has more than doubled since 2019, covering over 296 million acres in 2024.
- On average, producers received $2.19 in indemnities for every $1 paid in premiums from 2019–2024.
- Producers can use RMA’s PRF Rainfall Index Decision Support Tool to evaluate options and develop long-term coverage strategies.
The 2026 year has been extremely dry in much of Nebraska. This is a year when buying insurance would have resulted in large indemnities, which would help to offset loss of perennial forage production on dryland, sub-irrigated meadows, and irrigated grazing or hay production. Insurance indemnities wouldn’t have covered the additional irrigation expenses and economic loss from reduced forage production. It would provide additional income to help with these costs.
The deadline to sign up for 2027 coverage is December 1, 2026. For producers who haven’t utilized this insurance before, the PRF Rainfall Index Decision Support Tool can help them evaluate how this insurance product could work in their operation. The value of forage in Nebraska, both for grazing and hay, continues to increase. Precipitation is the primary driver for forage production in Nebraska. PRF insurance helps offset the risk of insufficient rainfall and compensates producers for reduced forage production due to drought.
