• Plant Dates

• Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) and Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO)

Guide to County‑Level Coverage Options

What Is SCO?

The Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) is an optional endorsement that adds extra protection on top of your individual crop insurance policy. SCO helps cover part of the deductible your underlying policy leaves exposed. Instead of paying based on your individual farm’s results, SCO triggers when county‑level yield or revenue falls below 86%. That means you can receive a payment even if your own acres don’t experience a qualifying loss, as long as the county as a whole does. Because SCO is heavily subsidized, it’s one of the most affordable ways to strengthen your safety net and reduce risk from widespread weather or market losses.

What Is ECO?

The Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) provides even higher levels of county‑based protection. ECO offers two coverage choices—90% or 95%—giving farmers the ability to insure a larger portion of their expected revenue. Like SCO, ECO pays based on county performance, not individual farm results. ECO is less subsidized than SCO, so premiums are typically higher, but it provides the highest coverage levels available in the federal crop insurance program. ECO is especially valuable in years with volatile markets or when protecting top‑end revenue is a priority.

SCO vs. ECO: What’s the Difference?

• Coverage Band:

  • ECO to 86%;

  • SCO 90% or 95%

• Trigger:

  • ECO County loss < 86%;

  • SCO County loss <90/95

• Cost:

  • ECO- More affordable;

  • SCO- Higher premium

• Best For:

  • ECO- Filling deductible gap;

  • SCO Protecting top revenue levels

How SCO and ECO Work Together

SCO and ECO can be stacked to create a layered safety net. Here’s how the pieces fit:

• ECO covers the top band: from 95% down to 90% (or just to 90% if you choose the 90% option).

• SCO covers the band below that: from 86% down to your individual policy level.

• Your individual policy covers everything below your chosen level (e.g., 75%, 80%, etc.).

Together, they create a continuous shield of county‑based protection from your individual coverage level all the way up to 90% or 95%. This combination is especially useful in years when widespread weather events or market swings affect the entire region, not just individual farms.

Why Farmers Choose SCO and ECO

• Stronger protection against county‑wide disasters

• More stable revenue during volatile years

• Flexible coverage options to match your risk tolerance

• Ability to insure higher levels of expected income

• Affordable entry point with SCO, with optional higher protection through EC

• claims

• Prevented Planting

• Acreage Reporting

When reporting your spring planted acres be sure to include the following information:

• Crop, Type and Plant Date

• Planted acres and/or Prevented Planting Acres

• Legal Description and CLUs

• List any person sharing and percentage

• livestock risk protection

Introducing Livestock Risk Protection
At CIP Agency, we understand the vital role that livestock plays in the agricultural industry. That's why we're excited to introduce Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) to farmers and ranchers.
What is Livestock Risk Protection?
Livestock Risk Protection is a risk management tool that provides livestock producers with protection against unexpected price declines. With unpredictable market conditions and price volatility, LRP offers peace of mind by allowing producers to insure against potential losses in the value of their livestock.
Benefits of Livestock Risk Protection

• Price Protection: LRP allows producers to establish a minimum price for their livestock, safeguarding against market downturns.

• Flexibility: Producers can choose the coverage level and insurance period that best fits their operation, providing tailored protection for their unique needs.

• Government-Backed: LRP is federally subsidized, making it an affordable and accessible risk management option for livestock producers.

How CIP Agency Can Help
As your trusted insurance partner, CIP Agency is here to guide you through the process of securing Livestock Risk Protection. Our experienced agent is well-versed in agricultural risk management and will work with you to determine the coverage that aligns with your operation's goals.
Take Control of Your Livestock's Future
Don't let market uncertainty impact your bottom line. With Livestock Risk Protection from CIP Agency, you can proactively manage risk and protect the financial well-being of your operation. Contact us today to learn more about how LRP can benefit your livestock business.
Protecting your livestock, securing your future.

Farmers Bridge Assistance

The Farmer Bridge Assistance Program is a new USDA initiative providing one-time payments to crop producers to offset losses from trade disruptions, rising input costs, and inflation during the 2025 crop year. The program allocates up to $11 billion in aid for crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, rice, peanuts, and others. To participate, farmers must ensure their 2025 acreage reports are accurate and filed with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office by December 19, 2025. After verifying acreage, producers can apply directly through FSA, with payments expected to begin in early 2026. Farmers should act quickly, gather documentation, and confirm eligibility with their FSA office to secure this relief.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released the updated commodity payment rates for the Farmers Bridge Assistance Program, establishing per acre support for eligible commodities.

SDRP Stage 2

The Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) Stage 2 provides financial assistance to farmers who experienced crop losses in 2023 or 2024 that weren’t fully covered by crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). It is designed to fill gaps left after traditional coverage, offering payments for shallow losses and uninsured disaster impacts. Farmers can apply through their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office, using existing crop insurance or NAP records to document losses. Applications are open now and must be submitted by April 30, 2026, so producers should gather their records early and work directly with FSA staff to ensure eligibility and timely payment

• Projected and Harvest Price

• Projected and Harvest Prices for Crop Insurance

Projected Prices

Projected prices are determined prior to the planting season and set the baseline for premium calculations. These prices are based on market data, historical trends, and the supply and demand dynamics observed in commodities markets. The Risk Management Agency (RMA) provides these figures, which are derived from futures prices on designated commodity exchanges.

Importance

1. Premium Calculation: Projected prices help establish premium rates for revenue protection policies.

2. Financial Planning: Farmers use projected prices to plan their budgets and assess potential revenues.

3. Market Signals: They provide insights into market expectations regarding future conditions and potential crop value.

Harvest Prices

Harvest prices are determined at the time of harvest and reflect the actual market conditions at that point. These prices are based on the average cash prices received for the crop during the harvest period.

Importance

1. Claims Resolution: Harvest prices are vital for determining indemnity payments in case of crop loss.

2. Risk Management: They allow farmers to assess their actual earnings compared to what was projected.

3. Market Dynamics: Harvest prices can indicate changes in market demand and supply, influencing future planting decisions.

Comparison of Projected and Harvest Prices

• Volatility: Projected prices are typically more stable and predictable, while harvest prices can fluctuate significantly based on unforeseen events such as weather conditions, disease outbreaks, or changes in market conditions.

• Impact on Revenue Protection: If the harvest price is lower than the projected price, farmers may receive indemnity payments, providing a safety net against losses.

Conclusion

Understanding the dynamics of projected and harvest prices is essential for effective risk management in agriculture. Both figures serve crucial roles in shaping the decision-making processes of farmers and the operations of insurance providers. Proper knowledge of these concepts can help mitigate financial risks associated with crop production.

To view current prices, click below

• crop hail

• production records and retention