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
Alan Bjerga with the National Milk Producers Federation joined us to review new policies and regulations supporting the dairy industry and what they mean for the year ahead.
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.
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.

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:

Todd Janzen with Janzen Schroeder Ag Law explains the updated ag data use agreement model and what it means for farmers and companies alike.
UT Extension also offers tips to help consumers stretch their grocery budgets, including meal planning, sticking to a shopping list, and choosing store or generic brands.
Early indications suggest the U.S. cattle industry may be nearing the end of its liquidation phase. Oklahoma State University livestock economist Dr. Derrell Peel says the industry could be at or near the cyclical low.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar has four years remaining in her Senate term and could decide to continue serving in that role while campaigning for Governor of Minnesota.
STRAUSS CEO Henning Strauss joined us with a preview of “Meet Strauss: The Tool You Wear,” premiering live tonight at 7:30 ET — only on RFD Network and RFD+
FarmHER Chris Nellis and her daughters navigate loss while carrying on a 300-year farm legacy, milking cows in upstate New York.