WESTFIELD/DEERE APPROVED AS FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE COMPANY

WASHINGTON, Oct 8, 2004 - The Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced Westfield Insurance Company, with its Managing General Agent (MGA), John Deere Risk Protection Inc., as the newest approved participant in the Federal crop insurance program.

Westfield has a rating of "A (Excellent)" from the A.M. Best Company which reports, "This rating reflects the company's strong capitalization, improved underwriting performance and long-standing agency relationships."

"The combined assets and talents of Westfield and John Deere represent a welcome addition to the Federal crop insurance program," said Risk Management Agency Administrator Ross J. Davidson, Jr. "Westfield and John Deere join the other existing insurance providers and RMA in our effort to increase coverage and capacity in the Federal crop insurance program allowing us to better provide risk management tools to the American farmer."

Westfield is approved to write an authorized level of crop insurance premium for the 2005 crop year. Westfield's Managing General Agent for the business, John Deere Risk Protection, Inc., is an Iowa corporation and an enterprise of John Deere Credit.

Providing affordable and effective risk management tools to farmers is a unique public-private partnership. RMA is committed to extensive private sector involvement in the Federal crop insurance program and is pleased with the prospect of Westfield Insurance Company's and John Deere's participation. Additional insurance companies have applied for inclusion in the Federal crop insurance program. RMA is currently conducting reviews of those applications.

A listing of all insurance providers participating in the Federal crop insurance program is located at http://www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents/.