Preparing For Spring
April 2024

Darcy Pralle, Crop Insurance Specialist

To kick things off, the Risk Management team would like to express a word of gratitude to all our current and new operations that chose us for their Crop Insurance needs in 2024. We are fortunate to have a thriving portfolio of insurance services and strive to be the best for our producers. We look forward to serving you all for many years to come. Thank you! 

As I type this article in late March there is hail falling in portions of the Ag Partners territory, and unfortunately, this isn’t the first hailstorm we’ve seen this March. I hate to say it’s a sign of more to come this year, but reviewing your hail coverage options before a storm is much better than after. Whether you’re a long-time buyer of hail policies or new to hail coverage it never hurts to reach out and learn more. We understand margins are thinner for operations this year, but nothing gives you the peace of mind with section-by-section coverage that a hail policy can. Plus, with a starting point around a couple bucks per acre, we will make sure it doesn’t break the bank. Since hail coverage is a private product it’s not a bad idea to look around at different companies for policy options. Or better yet, let the Ag Partners team do the shopping and offer you some new choices that could put more money in your pocket this year. 

Also, with planting season here, I wanted to touch on replant and prevent plant guidelines. Replant payments are calculated on a specific crop bushels x spring price. For example, corn is 8 bushel x $4.66 = $37.28/ac replant payment. There are certain dates and rules to follow but these payments are nothing to shake a stick at. Also, prevent plant normally pays 55% of your revenue guarantee per acre on corn and 60% of your revenue guarantee per acre on soybeans. Hopefully, Mother Nature doesn’t throw us a curve ball but if you have questions about replant and prevent plant rules, please reach out to Jim Ward or Darcy Pralle ahead of time. Sadly the, “do it now and beg for forgiveness later” plan isn’t listed in the Federal Government’s rule book, so please reach out when you first notice an issue. We are happy to guide you through any scenarios or questions your operation runs into this Spring. 

Wishing you a safe planting season and thanks again to all our amazing producers! 

Livestock Risk Protection To Cover Cattle Risks

Jim Ward, Crop Insurance & CFA Specialist

Livestock risk protection (LRP) programs offer significant benefits to farmers and ranchers, serving as a crucial risk management tool in the volatile agricultural sector. By providing subsidized insurance coverage against unexpected declines in livestock prices, LRP shields producers from financial losses stemming from market fluctuations. This safeguard allows agricultural operations to mitigate uncertainties inherent in livestock production, thereby promoting stability and sustainability within the industry. Currently, LRP is setting a July and August feeder cattle price at over $260 and Fat cattle over $180. If you would like an opportunity to lock in these prices please call Darcy Pralle (785)268-0634 or Jim Ward (785)741-1652 for more information. 

Winds of Change
January 2024

Darcy Pralle, Crop Insurance Specialist

With every New Year comes some change, and 2024 is no different. It pains me to say, but the days of $5 cash Corn are probably gone, and most Corn prices are going to start with $4 in 2024. I’m sure Mother Nature or World conflicts could prove me wrong, but I think lower prices are here to stay for a few years. Unfortunately, the price tag on a bag of seed, jug of chemical, or box of Corn Flakes won’t be coming down anytime soon. Which means operations could be facing much tighter margins than we’ve seen the past few years. Plus, if Corn keeps falling and is below $4 by Harvest, that’s an even dire scenario.  

Enough doom and gloom though, where is the upside? During the month of February, we will use the December Corn and November Soybean Futures price to set your grain prices for Revenue Protection Insurance policies. Let’s say February treats us well, and we are looking at Futures prices of around $4.90 Corn and $11.90 Soybeans. This sounds decent for the time being, but you do have to factor in your coverage level on your Revenue Protection Policy. For quick numbers, let’s say you select 75% coverage on Corn and Soybeans: $4.90 X 75% = $3.68 Corn and $11.90 X 75% = $8.93 Soybeans. These are the prices that would trigger a loss with average yields. I can’t speak for every operation, but it’s tough to pay the bills with $3.68 Corn.  

To solve this price issue, we suggest looking into Supplemental Coverage Option at 86% coverage or Enhanced Coverage Option at 95% coverage to give those prices a bump. These are both subsidized Federal Crop Insurance Products, but they require some diligent research with a knowledgeable Insurance Agent. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that insurance premiums overall will be cheaper in 2024 (because of the lower grain prices), so increasing your coverage levels might be more affordable than you think. Unlike that box of Corn Flakes I mentioned earlier.   

Speaking of inflation, we have noticed Hail & Wind premium rates creep up with certain Insurance Companies. Since Hail & Wind policies are a private product (with no subsidy), it pays to shop around for competitive rates. To find the best value for our Producers, we always compare multiple companies each year, and the differences can be surprising. If you feel like your old Insurance policy doesn’t fit the New Year, you have until March 15th to discuss some fresh ideas for your operation. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Insurance Specialists, Jim Ward or Darcy Pralle at Ag Partners for more information and some of the best support in the industry. We wish you a Happy New Year and much success in 2024!