Important Dates & Resources
Key seasonal checkpoints and deadlines for Montana crop insurance.
Important Disclaimer
Deadlines can vary by county, crop, and program. The dates below are general guidelines for planning purposes. Always contact us to confirm specific deadlines that apply to your operation. Missing a deadline can affect your coverage, so it's critical to verify dates for your situation.
Note: This list does not include all dates but highlights some of the key dates and reminders throughout the crop insurance year.
Crop Insurance Calendar
Understanding and meeting these deadlines is essential to maintaining your crop insurance coverage.
Early Season
January - February
- Review prior year's production records and APH
- Begin planning coverage for upcoming season
- Schedule coverage review meeting
Sales Closing & Contract Changes
March 15
Sales Closing Date for spring crops in Montana. This is typically your last day to purchase new coverage, make changes to existing policies, or cancel coverage for the crop year.
Acreage Reporting
July 15
Acreage Reporting Deadline for many spring-planted crops. You must report what you planted, where, and how many acres. This report must match your FSA-578 acreage report. Missing this deadline can result in loss of coverage.
Tip: Report your acreage as soon as planting is complete. Don't wait until the deadline. Early reporting avoids last-minute issues.
Growing Season
May - September
- Monitor crops for damage or loss events
- Report losses within 72 hours of discovery
- Consider crop-hail insurance if not already in place
- Keep detailed production records throughout the season
Harvest & Production Reporting
September - November
- Keep accurate harvest records and documentation
- Save all truck tickets, bin measurements, and sale records
- Report production by the deadline (usually within 45 days of harvest end)
- Contact us if you experience yield losses
Winter Crop Deadlines
September 30
Sales Closing Deadline for Winter Crops. This is your last day to purchase new coverage, make changes to existing policies, or cancel coverage for winter wheat and other fall-planted crops. This is one of the most important deadlines of the year.
Fall Reporting Deadlines
November 15
- Acreage Reporting Deadline for Winter Wheat. Report your planted winter wheat acreage by this date to maintain coverage.
- Production Reporting Deadline. Submit your production records for the completed crop year. This data is essential for determining your APH (Actual Production History) for future coverage.
Year-End Planning
December 1
Sales Closing Deadline for PRF (Pasture, Rangeland, Forage). Final day to enroll in or make changes to PRF insurance coverage for the upcoming year.
November - December
- Review year's production and insurance outcomes
- Begin planning for next crop year
- Schedule winter planning meeting to review coverage
Critical Reminders
72-Hour Loss Reporting
Most policies require you to report crop damage within 72 hours of discovering the loss. Call us immediately when you discover damage from hail, wind, disease, or any other cause.
Don't Miss Sales Closing
After the sales closing date (typically March 15), you cannot make changes to your coverage for that crop year. Plan ahead and contact us well before this deadline.
Acreage Must Match FSA
Your crop insurance acreage report must match your FSA-578 report. Discrepancies can cause claim payment issues. We can help ensure your reports are consistent.
Preserve Claim Evidence
After a loss event, don't destroy damaged crops or clear fields until after the adjuster inspection. Preserving evidence is critical to documenting your claim.
Questions About Deadlines?
Every operation is different, and deadlines can vary based on your specific crops, location, and coverage. Contact us to confirm the exact deadlines that apply to your situation.