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 programs.

The updates include revised beginning farmer and rancher definitions, updated subsidy percentages, and expanded flexibility allowing concurrent coverage between similar livestock insurance programs.

RMA says the changes are intended to improve consistency across programs while expanding producer options.

Livestock Risk Protection will add more flexibility for forage disaster exemptions, extend cull cow coverage to 52 weeks and introduce new unborn feeder cattle types. The program is designed to help protect producers against declining livestock market prices.

Livestock Gross Margin updates include higher insurable weight limits for cattle along with revised target feeder and live cattle weight rules.

Meanwhile, Dairy Revenue Protection will shift its sales period end date to better align with other livestock insurance programs.

USDA encourages producers to review the upcoming changes with a crop insurance agent ahead of 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

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:

Southern Plains wheat shippers face higher rail fuel surcharges as hard red winter wheat production falls toward a nearly 70-year low.
Ag Commissioner Sid Miller and Rep. Henry Cuellar say rising costs and generational shifts are making it harder to keep young producers in the industry.
USDA says both crops remain ahead of the five-year average as farmers continue monitoring dry Corn Belt conditions.
Texas Farm Bureau takes us behind the scenes at USDA’s sterile fly facility, considered a first line of defense against New World Screwworm, a fight Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller fears is “futile.”
RealAg Radio’s Shaun Haney joins us to discuss Canadian farmer sentiment, saying many are also struggling with profitability and long-term outlook in agriculture.
Several fires have merged into Kansas’ largest active wildfire as crews continue battling shifting winds and dry conditions.