The Arizona Department of Transportation made an exciting announcement on Tuesday. Construction on a brand new Interstate 40 interchange in Kingman is set to kick off shortly. This interchange, known as the Rancho Santa Fe Parkway interchange, will be situated approximately four miles east of the current Route 66 interchange at Andy Devine Avenue. Its main purpose is to enhance accessibility around the Kingman Airport.

Project Details and Features

The project is estimated to cost $44 million and is anticipated to be completed within 1.5 years. The city of Kingman will take on the separate construction of Rancho Santa Fe Parkway. According to ADOT, several key features are included in this project. Firstly, two new bridges will be constructed on I-40 at the new Rancho Sante Fe Parkway interchange, providing additional connectivity. Secondly, the existing bridges over Rattlesnake Wash will be widened to accommodate increased traffic. New sidewalks, curb and gutter will also be installed to ensure the safety and convenience of pedestrians. Additionally, pipe culverts, concrete box culverts, and storm drainage systems will be constructed to manage water flow. New traffic signals and lighting will be installed to improve traffic flow and safety. Finally, new fencing, guardrail, signage, and pavement markings will be added to enhance the overall appearance and functionality of the interchange.

Construction Schedule

Construction activities will take place on days and nights from Monday through Thursday. However, on Fridays, construction will only occur during daytime hours. Although there will still be two lanes of travel in each direction during the construction period, delays of up to 20 minutes can be expected. It is important for commuters and travelers to plan their routes accordingly.

Accessing More Information

For those interested in learning more about the Kingman interchange project, they can visit ADOT's website. This online resource provides detailed information about the project, including construction updates, timelines, and any relevant announcements. Additionally, following @veenstra_david on social media can keep you informed about the latest developments.We value your feedback and encourage you to share any story ideas or tips with the KTAR News team. Your input can help shape the coverage of local events and projects.

The Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Rainfall Index (PRF-RI) stands as a significant crop insurance offering that has been somewhat overlooked by Illinois livestock and forage producers. With only 6% of eligible acres insured in 2024, it presents a valuable opportunity for those in the Midwest. This index insurance is heavily subsidized, offering a potential return of $1.29 for every $1 in producer-paid premium over time.

Unlock the Potential of PRF-RI for Illinois Livestock Producers

PRF-RI Use in Illinois

Since 2016, PRF-RI has been available as a risk management tool for Illinois producers. According to the 2022 USDA Agricultural Census, the state has a substantial amount of pasture and hay production land. Roughly 742,000 acres are dedicated to pasture, and 473,000 acres are harvested for hay. However, in 2024, only about 70,000 acres were enrolled in PRF-RI, indicating that less than 6% of eligible forage land is taking advantage of this subsidized program. As shown in Figure 1, this participation rate is notably lower than in states west of the Mississippi River.Only around half of Illinois counties have any forage acreage enrolled in PRF-RI, as depicted in Figure 2. The top five counties with the highest enrollment rates include Hamilton (27%) and Jefferson (24%) in southern Illinois, Kendall (27%) and Grundy (23%) in northeast Illinois, and Hancock (20%) in western Illinois.Figure 3 reveals the total acreage enrolled in PRF-RI by coverage level in Illinois. The 85% and 90% coverage levels are the most popular, with the 90% coverage level experiencing the largest growth in acreage. Of the 70,000 acres enrolled in 2024, 74% were at the 90% coverage level.

How PRF-RI Works

PRF-RI is designed to safeguard livestock and forage producers against below-average rainfall that can reduce forage production. It covers perennial pasture, rangeland, and forage but not annual forage. This index insurance operates based on a grid system, where each policy is tied to a specific 0.25° latitude by 0.25° longitude grid (approximately 17 miles by 13 miles in Illinois). Rainfall index values are calculated using a weighted average of nearby National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather stations and are compared to historical average rainfall in that grid.Producers have several decisions to make when participating in PRF-RI. They must choose the number of acres to insure, whether it's for haying or grazing (with different premium costs and potential indemnity payments). If choosing hay production, they also need to specify if the acreage is irrigated or Certified/Transitional Organic. The coverage level determines when an indemnity payment is triggered, with options ranging from 70% to 90%. Higher coverage levels come with higher premium costs and different subsidy levels. Producers can adjust the covered value of their forage by setting a productivity factor between 60% and 150%, which adjusts the coverage level relative to the county base value.For example, if the county base value is $100 per acre, a 90% coverage level and a 125% productivity factor would result in a protection amount of $112.50 per acre. Additionally, producers must choose two-month intervals for insurance against low rainfall, and the percentages of value placed in each interval must sum to 100. This helps minimize risk by reflecting the importance of different month intervals for forage production.

PRF-RI Performance

Figure 4 showcases the producer gain ratio over premium for PRF-RI from 2016 to 2023 in Illinois and the total U.S. The producer gain ratio is calculated by dividing total indemnities by total producer-paid premium. An average ratio of one means producers receive the same in indemnities as they pay in premiums. In Illinois, producers received $1.29 in indemnities for every $1 spent on premiums, which is lower than the U.S. average of $2.18. However, it's important to note that the ratio varies from year to year. In fewer than half of the years, Illinois producers paid more in premiums than they received in indemnities.

Summary and Further Information

PRF-RI insurance is a subsidized product with potential benefits for Illinois livestock and forage producers. It provides a chosen level of protection against precipitation loss. While it's not a standalone risk management strategy, it should be used in conjunction with other practices like forage diversification and improved grazing management.PRF-RI insurance can be purchased through authorized crop insurance agents. The enrollment deadline is December 1 of the prior year, and the premium payment deadline is September 1 of the following year, so premiums don't need to be paid upfront. The USDA Risk Management Agency offers more information and an interactive decision tool for exploring grids, policy options, and historical rainfall indices.Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Rainfall Index Insurance: An Insurance Product for Illinois Livestock and Forage Producers was originally published by Farmdoc.