New bill would remove restrictions on cover crops

New legislation would remove insurance restrictions on planting cover crops.

It would apply to cover crops planted for livestock feed on land impacted by poor weather.

It would also eliminate the haying and grazing date on prevent plant acres. Sen. John Thune says that the current date of November 1st is too late in the year for farmers in northern states.

The bill would allow the cost for cover crop seed to be a factor when determining indemnities and would request USDA to reduce premiums.