The USDA’s Risk Management Agency reminds producers in Illinois that the final date to purchase or modify crop insurance coverage on most insurable spring-planted crops is March 15th. Crop insurance protects producers from natural disasters which affect crop yields and revenues. Producers have a number of coverage choices, including yield coverage, revenue protection and area risk policies. Farmers have several new insurance options to consider for the 2015 crop year, as well as improvements to the farm safety net for beginning farmers and those with diversified operations. Many of the new options are provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill that RMA was able to implement in time for spring crops this year. There are also new benefits for beginning farmers for the 2015 crop year. These benefits help farmers just starting out establish production history and reduce the cost of insurance. Producers are strongly urged to contact a crop insurance agent as soon as possible for premium quotes and more details. Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all the USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent locator. Producers can use the RMA Cost Estimator to get a premium amount estimate of their insurance needs online.