HELENA, Mont. (AP) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a pilot program to provide crop insurance for camelina in selected counties in Montana and North Dakota beginning with the 2012 crop year.

Oil from crushed camelina seeds can be converted into biofuel.

Only spring-planted camelina grown under contract with a processor will be eligible for coverage against damage from adverse weather, fire, wildlife, earthquake, volcanic eruption and insect and plant disease. The crops will not be covered against insufficient or improper application of pest or disease control measures.

The deadline to purchase the insurance is Feb. 1, 2012.

Montana Sen. Jon Tester included the initiative in the most recent Farm Bill.

In Montana, the new camelina insurance pilot program will be available through the USDA's Risk Management Agency to farmers in the following counties: Big Horn, Blaine, Broadwater, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Fergus, Garfield, Glacier, Golden Valley, Hill, Judith Basin, Lewis and Clark, Liberty, McCone, Meagher, Musselshell, Park, Petroleum, Phillips, Pondera, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Toole, Treasure, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux and Yellowstone

Copyright 2011 The AP.