Crop Insurance Programs: A Quick Guide to All You Need to Know

The three major crops in the USA (corn, soybeans, and wheat) remained pretty stagnant between 1900 – 1924. However, from 1946 to 2000, we’ve seen a progressive yield increase, with the last 20 years being particularly demanding for farmers. 

That being said, even the top scientists from NASA predict significant crop yield changes up to 2030. This is due to a number of influences, such as rising temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and the numerous extreme weather events plaguing everyone from Northern Iowa to Southern Florida. 

To help farmers and those invested in agricultural real estate weather the storm, crop insurance is offered by a number of government and private entities. 

What is Crop Insurance? 

The idea behind crop insurance is similar to any other form like dental, health, or vehicle insurance. The government meets with private and public providers to market the insurance. The Standard Reinsurance Agreement (SRA) works with partnerships like the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) to make suggestions. 

How it works is simple. You purchase crop insurance to safeguard your annual yield against unwanted disasters and other losses. If, for example, an unseasonal freeze wipes out a significant portion of your anticipated yield, the insurance provider will cover the costs (usually at market rate) so you can maintain operations. 

Collectively, farmers and ranchers pay around $6-$7 for this coverage. In South Dakota alone, that is about 18.7 million acres of agricultural land covered by policies valued at $8.3 billion. 

How Does Crop Insurance Work? 

All crop insurance is backed through the USDA’s RMA (Risk Management Agency). Both the farm bill and the RMA set the base price, determine any coverage offers, and create new programs whenever an old one is discontinued or no longer provides adequate coverage. 

You should visit the USDA RMA website to learn more directly and get an insider track on what to expect for upcoming years. The reason you would check this is because not all crops are covered in different counties. Sometimes soybeans in one county cannot be covered unless grown a few miles south in another county. 

Whenever a farmer has cross-county land, they tend to insure through all available partners. Special predetermined written agreements are then brought into play to accommodate this unique situation. 

Does Crop Insurance Really Matter? 

Consider both the micro and macro perspectives of crop insurance. A small family investing in rural real estate to set up a few acres for farming needs crop insurance to cover unforeseen situations like tornados, sudden moisture, infestations, and more. 

However, from a macro perspective, corn and soybeans accounted for more than half the 2022 U.S. crop cash receipts and significantly impacted our global economic positioning. Our national economy trades, bets against, and supports everything from potential corn crops in Idaho to how many citrus trees there are in Florida. Without crop insurance, we would lose farmers and risk our ability to thrive as a nation. 

What Else Should I Know About Crop Insurance? 

The world of crop insurance is multifaceted. There are many providers you can select through the USDA or by speaking to your local farmer’s cohort or community-run organization. There are also many different forms of crop insurance, from Revenue Protection (RP) to Yield Protection (YP). 

You always want to check on the specific coverage available for your county and then compare different premiums as well as bottom line protection so you know how much value your crop will be worth should the worst occur. 

In addition, there are some financial incentives to help cover the cost of crop insurance. For example, if your real estate or agricultural business is “conservation compliant,” you may be eligible for certain premium subsidies. The same is true for Beginning Farmer Rancher (BFR) programs as well as Veteran Farmer Rancher (VFR) programs. 

Final Thoughts

The final cost of crop insurance can vary greatly depending on the size of your acreage, the type of crop you’re producing, and anticipated weather events for your area. Even the Farmer’s Almanac comes into play as a resource for setting coverage and valuations. 

At the end of the day, the government wants to infuse the agricultural business with more surety. Running a farm is a beautiful way of life, but some risks must be considered. Crop insurance is an excellent way to protect your land while you develop future safeguards for production, value, and yield.