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Montana farmers who bought state hail insurance in 2011 year will receive a refund of 25% of the premiums they paid.

The state Board of Hail Insurance approved the refunds after reviewing an actuarial report during its annual meeting.

The Montana Department of Agriculture issued 1,943 hail insurance policies covering nearly 1.6 million acres during 2011. That's below the record of 2 million acres in 2007, primarily due to the wet spring that prevented the planting of crops, said department director Ron de Yong.

"An independent actuary report showed that the program continues to be financially strong and able to once again provide refunds to policyholders," de Yong said. "Crop producers are fortunate to have this program, which is the only one of its kind in the nation."

At its November 30th meeting, the board decided premiums for the 2011 crop year will remain the same as those charged this year, said board Chairman Gary Gollehon of Brady.

For more information, contact the Montana Department of Agriculture's hail specialist at (406) 444-2402 or by email at agr@mt.gov.