Specialty Risk Insurance and Nationwide Join Forces to Champion Grain Bin Safety at CattleCon 2026

Kevin Charleston of Specialty Risk Insurance discusses the importance of grain bin safety and joint efforts with Nationwide to provide farmers and first responders with access to critical, life-saving rescue tubes.

corn grain silo stock photo_input costs and producer inflation_adobe stock.png

Adobe Stock

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD NEWS)Grain bin safety remains a major concern across agriculture, with grain bin entrapment resulting in nearly two dozen on-farm deaths each year in the United States. Efforts to improve safety and rescue readiness are gaining attention as risks persist on farms and in rural communities.

Kevin Charleston of Specialty Risk Insurance joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report to discuss the company’s work focused on grain bin safety.

In his interview with RFD NEWS, Charleston discussed Specialty Risk’s co-branded presence with Nationwide at CattleCon 2026 and the agency’s sponsorship of grain bin rescue tubes for fire departments, explaining why supporting rescue preparedness is important to their organization.

Charleston also touched on the broader impact of farm accidents on rural communities and shared how Specialty Risk Insurance works with farmers and first responders — beyond rescue tube sponsorships — to promote safer operations and reduce risk on farms and ranches.

Finally, Charleston outlined some steps farmers can take to better address safety risks in their operations. Watch his full interview below:

Related Stories
The Surface Transportation Board rejects the proposed Norfolk Southern–Union Pacific merger, prompting concerns from agricultural shippers about rail consolidation, service reliability, and higher transportation costs.
Congressional leaders signal momentum toward expanded, targeted farm aid to help producers manage losses and cash-flow stress in 2026.
Livestock strength is carrying the farm economy, while crop margins remain tight and increasingly dependent on risk management and financial discipline.
Freight volatility and route selection remain critical to soybean export margins and competitiveness.
Strong balance sheets still matter, but liquidity, planning, and lender relationships are critical as ag credit tightens, according to analysis from AgAmerica Lending.
New Resource Makes It Easier for People to Access Data on Rural Development funded Projects in Rural Communities
In a landmark ruling delivered in late 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court significantly narrowed the scope of the National Environmental Policy Act.
While short-term volatility remains a risk, softer ocean freight rates in 2026 could improve export margins.
Trade volatility and shifting export destinations increase marketing risk for producers heading into 2026.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Justin Wheeler with the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers joined us with insight into current farmland values and what to watch in the year ahead.
Tennessee 4-H members Jayden Hesson and Matthew Rochford joined us to discuss how 4-H is helping young leaders plan for the future of agriculture.
USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg joined us with a recap of the Malaysia trade mission and a look at USDA’s broader trade strategy moving forward.
Mike Steenhoek of the Soy Transportation Coalition shares how extreme winter weather is affecting the ag transportation network and what producers should keep in mind as conditions slowly improve.
Matt Brockman, Communications Director for the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, joined us with a look at how the legendary event is moving forward—weather and all.
Strong White House backing supports ethanol demand, but timing now hinges on Congress resolving procedural — at the same time as they push toward a spending bill to avert another federal government shutdown.