Spring Storms Add Pressure as Farmers Balance Planting and Risk Management

Austin Rice with Specialty Risk Insurance shares guidance on handling storm damage, navigating the insurance claims process, and managing risk during a volatile planting season.

agricultural land affected by flooding crop insurance_Photo By Andrii Yalanskyi via Adobe Stock.jpg

Photo By Andrii Yalanskyi via Adobe Stock

CARTHAGE, MO. (RFD NEWS) — Fluctuating weather conditions remain a major focus as spring planting ramps up across the country, with strong storms in parts of the Midwest forcing farmers to carefully navigate operational decisions this week.

Austin Rice with Specialty Risk Insurance joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report to offer guidance for producers facing severe weather impacts.

In his interview with RFD News, Rice discussed steps farmers should consider taking if their operations are hit by a strong storm and what the claims process looks like after contacting an insurance agent.

He also shared final advice for producers managing both weather risks and today’s challenging market conditions.

Related Stories
Kerry Hartwig from Sukup Manufacturing previews the grain management solutions they plan to share with producers at the upcoming Commodity Classic in San Antonio.
FBN co-founder Charles Baron previews the upcoming Farmer2Farmer event and how technology and AI are shaping the industry, offering growers practical insights and farmer-led strategies for modern agriculture.
Farm Bureau Economist Faith Parum discusses the latest Farm Bill proposal and the path ahead for Congress and U.S. agriculture.
Small Business Administration Deputy Administrator Bill Briggs joined us with an update on how the SBA is working to support rural communities and small businesses across the country.
A weaker dollar supports export demand and may strengthen crop prices.
Fred Nichols, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Huma, joined us with a sneak peek at Commodity Classic next week in San Antonio, Texas.

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:

The USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum highlights modest price support from tighter supplies across cotton, grains, dairy, livestock, and sugar into 2026.
The Ranger Road Fire spreads from the Oklahoma Panhandle into Kansas as high winds and red flag conditions persist
President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week to accelerate domestic production of phosphorus and glyphosate, signaling that farm input availability is now treated as a national security risk.
University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold discusses the ongoing measles outbreak in the United States and the importance of vaccination awareness on this week’s Rural Health Matters.
Federal aid helps, but producers will bear most of the losses. Balance sheets may look stable, but margins remain fragile without policy support.
Biofuel and corn producers await proposal as Renewable Fuels Association pushes for expanded ethanol access.