In virtually all of the Abilene region, the final planting date for cotton is June 20. That means field appraisals could begin immediately after June 27. Ackerman said after waiting seven days with no moisture on insurable cotton acreage, the acreage may be released on the basis of plant count at that time.
Appraisals can begin no sooner than the eighth day.
Ackerman said the deviation from the earlier proposed 25-day waiting period is being authorized in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. The RMA administrator released a bulletin to all reinsured companies, all Risk Management field offices and other parties. U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm, ranking minority member of the U.S. House Ag Committee, and some other farm state leaders, had worked with USDA throughout the past week to get a determination on the 7-day rule. Stenholm had pushed for the early release so that additional assessment costs would not be incurred by the producer in the Boll Weevil Eradication Program. Where measurable moisture is received on insurable cotton acreage from planting through the 7th day after the applicable final planting date, the acreage will not be released on the basis of plant count at appraisal until at least the 15th day after final planting date.