USDA Announces Updates to Livestock and Dairy Insurance Programs

Changes to several Risk Management Agency programs are set to begin with the 2027 crop year.

LUBBOCK, TX (RFD NEWS) — Livestock and dairy producers will see updates to several USDA insurance tools beginning with the 2027 crop year. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) says changes are coming to Livestock Risk Protection, Livestock Gross Margin, and Dairy Revenue Protection.

The updates include common policy changes across the three programs, including revised beginning farmer and rancher definitions, updated subsidy percentages, and permission for concurrent coverage between similar livestock programs. RMA says the changes are meant to expand options and improve consistency.

Livestock Risk Protection will add more flexibility for forage disaster exemptions, extend cull cow coverage to 52 weeks, and add new unborn feeder cattle types. LRP helps protect against declining livestock market prices.

Livestock Gross Margin changes raise insurable weight limits for cattle and update target feeder and live cattle weight rules. Dairy Revenue Protection will move its sales period end date to match other livestock insurance programs.

Producers should review the changes with a crop insurance agent before the 2027 crop year.

Farm-Level Takeaway: Updated livestock insurance rules may give cattle, swine, and dairy producers more flexibility to manage price and margin risk.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
Related Stories
Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition joins us to discuss the proposed federal gas tax suspension, fuel cost pressures, and what the policy could mean for agriculture and transportation.
Agri Stats would no longer be allowed to show participant lists, rankings, or “flags,” and it could only report individual company data in narrow situations.
Officials say the tool could give Florida citrus growers another option against a disease that has devastated production for decades.
For dairy producers, that could help support fluid milk use in cafeterias, breakfast programs, and other child nutrition settings.
EU simplification may reduce some paperwork, but U.S. exporters still face costly traceability requirements.
U.S. beef imports are running at a record pace while exports are falling, reflecting tight domestic cattle supplies and high U.S. beef prices.

Tony St. James joined the RFD-TV talent team in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 Sirius XM. In addition to his role as Market Specialist (collaborating with Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady to provide radio and TV audiences with the latest updates on ag commodity markets), he hosts “Rural America Live” and serves as talent for trade shows.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The latest developments point to shifting export routes, higher congestion risk, and continuing cost pressure for grain, fertilizer, and energy shipments.
Tyson is still reshaping its beef footprint.
Cotton prices improved last week, but drought, storms, and uneven planting are keeping risk elevated.
Federal officials are signaling a more aggressive push on beef packer concentration, but any direct market impact will depend on what the investigation actually finds.
The USDA’s annual report leaves dairy producers with a mixed picture. Output and herd size expanded, but weaker prices kept income from rising with production.
Total cash receipts from marketings of cattle, calves, hogs, and pigs climbed by 18% in 2025 to $165 billion.