Today is the deadline for farmers to buy crop insurance for spring-seeded crops. Agents say you need to be prepared, pointing to last year’s near-record coverage.
“Last year, about 550 million acres of farm and ranchland nationwide were covered by crop insurance. That’s roughly nine out of ten acres that are eligible for coverage, which is up dramatically from just five years ago when fewer than 379 million acres were covered,” said Tom Zacharias with Nationla Crop Insurance Services.
Farmers and ranchers spent more than $6 billion last year out of their own pockets to buy 2.4 million policies. Zacharias says those policies then provided nearly $160 billion in protections.
Other crop insurance deadlines are on the horizon but there is still time. ARC and PLC decisions are due next month, which is a month later than normal. When making those plans, ag economists say PLC will likely pay less for most of the Corn Belt.
“Obviously, we don’t know all the prices and yields that will happen in 2025. If we have extremely low prices, PLC will pay more, but that’s a pretty remote case yet,” said Economist Gary Schnitkey.
Schnitkey and his team are leaning toward ARC county over PLC for corn, soybeans, and wheat this year, adding federal farm safety net programs are free of charge.
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.
January 20, 2026 03:25 PM
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Despite rising costs and growing food insecurity, meat demand remained strong in 2025 as higher-income consumers offset cutbacks elsewhere. Economists break down the K-shaped economy, upcoming USDA cattle reports, livestock production outlooks, and renewed debate over beef imports and country-of-origin labeling heading into 2026.
January 20, 2026 02:47 PM
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Corn growers are turning to ethanol, E15 expansion, and export markets to help absorb record supplies and stabilize prices. Farm leaders discuss low-carbon ethanol demand, flex-fuel vehicle challenges, input costs, and the role of USMCA as producers look for market relief in the year ahead.
January 20, 2026 02:04 PM
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From rising trade tensions in Europe to a pending Supreme Court decision on tariffs and shifting demand from China, global trade policy spearheaded by President Donald Trump continues to shape the outlook for U.S. agriculture—adding uncertainty as farmers navigate another volatile year.
January 20, 2026 01:14 PM
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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.
January 20, 2026 12:25 PM
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Congressional leaders signal momentum toward expanded, targeted farm aid to help producers manage losses and cash-flow stress in 2026.
January 20, 2026 11:48 AM
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