The Crop Insurance Podcast

In this episode of the Crop Insurance Podcast, I’m joined by Jeff Winton , a dairy farmer and the founder/chairman of Rural Minds — a national nonprofit focused on improving mental health equity in rural America . Jeff shares the personal story that sparked Rural Minds, what he’s hearing across farm communities, and practical ways to start the conversation , reduce stigma, and connect people to re...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Eric Arzubi (Frontier Psychiatry) to talk about the mental health challenges facing rural agricultural producers—and what practical support and resources are available right now. This conversation is especially relevant for crop insurance agents, FSA employees, lenders, and ag professionals who often hear the hard stuff first. We’re not trying to turn anyone in...

This isn’t a normal episode. To close out the season, Mike shares a short holiday story from farm country — one about tough years, quiet conversations, and how sometimes the most important thing is simply sitting down with someone and listening. It’s a lighter episode, a little different, and a reminder that even in difficult seasons, hope has a way of showing up — often over a cup of coffee. From...

The USDA just announced a massive $12 billion relief package — and $11 billion of it is earmarked for row crop farmers under the brand-new Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program . In this episode of The Crop Insurance Podcast , Mike breaks down everything you need to know to claim your share, including who qualifies, how payments will be calculated, why accurate acreage reporting is critical, and...

In this episode of The Crop Insurance Podcast , Mike breaks down the new SDRP Stage 2 program and why it's a game-changer for producers who had shallow or quality-related crop losses in 2023 or 2024 — even if they didn’t trigger a crop insurance claim. Learn how to apply, what records to bring to FSA, how to use the USDA's quality loss calculator, and why booking your appointment early is key.

Stage 2 of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program is officially open! In this quick-hit episode, Mike walks you through the must-have forms, records, and prep work you’ll need before applying. Whether you’re documenting losses, quality issues, or updating your info with FSA, we break it all down so you can hit submit with confidence.

In this episode of The Crop Insurance Podcast , Mike reconnects with Alex Offerdahl after their meeting at the Montana Grain Growers Association convention to discuss one of the newest tools in crop insurance: the Margin Coverage Option (MCO). With the September 30 sales closing deadline approaching, this timely conversation breaks down how MCO compares to ECO, SCO, and traditional revenue protect...

In this episode, we’re joined by Jaime Cortes, a crop insurance agent and PRF expert based in the Yakima Valley. Jaime breaks down how Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) insurance works, what a “grid” really means, and how the rainfall index triggers payments. If you’re a rancher, hay producer, involved in apiculture or just curious about how to manage risk during dry years, this episode is for you.

In this special edition of The Crop Insurance Podcast , we break down the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Board’s decision to fast-track major provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into the 2026 crop year. For wheat producers and other fall crops, this means big changes: higher premium subsidies, expanded Beginning Farmer and Rancher benefits, a boost in Whole Farm Revenue Protection c...

Think you know Whole Farm Revenue Protection? Think again. In this episode, Mike sits down with Tyson Baker of Marsh McLennan Agency for a candid conversation between two WFRP pros. They bust the biggest myths, call out the common pitfalls, and break down how the program really works—without the jargon overload. Whether you’re a diversified grower curious about WFRP, or you’ve been insured for yea...

In this special video episode of The Crop Insurance Podcast , we’re popping the champagne (metaphorically) to celebrate the launch of our brand-new website — packed with articles, tools, and some sweet merch! But that’s not all... Mike dives into real-world “aha” moments from the field — the stuff you thought you knew until it came back to bite (or save) you. From winter wheat reporting slip-ups t...

The SDRP provides additional financial assistance to producers who experienced crop losses due to qualifying natural disasters in 2023-2024, supplementing your existing crop insurance payments. Find Your Local FSA Office Learn More About Disaster Programs

The county yields are out—and that means it’s time to do the math. In this special edition of The Crop Insurance Podcast , host Mike Rydell walks you through how to determine if Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) and Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) will trigger a payment for your 2024 crop year. Using Cascade County, Montana as a real-world example, Mike explains the yield and price math in plain t...

Spring is here—and so is your crop insurance to-do list. In this episode, We run through the key spring items every farmer and crop insurance agent should be tracking. From ECO and SCO payouts to early plant dates, winter wheat assessments, and hail coverage timing, this episode is your practical guide to navigating the season smoothly. Whether you're planting peas or just peeking at your winter w...

In this special episode of The Crop Insurance Podcast , Mike breaks down the USDA’s brand-new Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) —a game-changing payment program for wheat, barley, and other commodity producers. Learn how much you could get paid per acre, who qualifies, what forms you need, and how to apply before the August 15, 2025 deadline. Whether you’ve already filed your acreage r...

In this episode of The Crop Insurance Podcast , we continue our deep dive into Margin Protection , focusing on the Harvest Price Option (HPO) and how it affects payouts. We break down real-world examples to show how HPO adjusts coverage when prices rise , how trigger margins and actual margins determine payouts, and what happens when you have an underlying Federal Crop Insurance policy . If you’ve...

In this first episode of our two-part deep dive into Margin Protection, we break down this powerful risk management tool in a way that’s easy to understand. We walk you through the fundamentals, including how Margin Protection works, key policy terms like Expected Revenue and Expected Costs, and how coverage levels and protection factors shape your payout. If you’ve ever been confused about Margin...

Did you know that your crop rotation choices could impact your federal crop insurance eligibility? In this episode of The Crop Insurance Podcast , we break down the concept of rotational requirements for crop insurance eligibility. Learn how these rules help manage disease pressure, maintain soil health, and ensure long-term sustainability. Plus, we’ll share expert tips on how to stay compliant an...

Ever wondered how the Risk Management Agency (RMA) determines Projected and Harvest Prices for dry peas —chickpeas, lentils, green and yellow peas? 🌱 In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the pricing process, explaining how contract data is used to establish guarantees, and what happens when RMA can’t determine a price. Join us as we break down: ✅ How Projected & Harvest Prices...

In this episode, we’re diving deep into Fire Insurance Protection - Smoke Index (FIP-SI) , the latest crop insurance endorsement designed to protect California grape growers from wildfire smoke damage. 🌫️🍷 We’ll break down: ✅ How FIP-SI works and why it’s different from other endorsements ✅ What triggers a payout and how smoke events are measured ✅ The key calculations behind coverage and inde...

In this episode, we dive into crafting the perfect crop insurance plan for Mark, our fictional Napa Valley vineyard owner. From APH coverage to contract pricing and wildfire protection, we break down the must-have policies that ensure his operation is covered. Tune in for expert insights and actionable strategies! 🍇🚜

California’s wine country isn’t just known for great wine—it’s also a high-risk region for wildfires, droughts, and smoke damage . In this first episode of our mini-series, we introduce a fictitious Napa Valley vineyard owner , played by our Crop Insurance Podcast AI . Through their story, we’ll explore the challenges vineyard owners face and set the stage for possible risk management solutions. W...

In this episode of The Crop Insurance Podcast , we’re joined by a precision agriculture expert from RCIS to explore how cutting-edge tech is reshaping crop insurance. Learn how tools like yield monitors and GPS mapping are improving accuracy, streamlining reporting, and simplifying claims. We also discuss key rules and best practices farmers need to follow to make the most of their precision ag da...

🎄 Get ready for a festive and educational twist on a holiday classic! In this episode of The Crop Insurance Podcast , we present two fun, rhyming tales about timely acreage reporting—one from the farmer’s perspective and one from the agent’s. Follow along as we explore two contrasting paths: a farmer who waits too long to report, leading to last-minute chaos and missed details, and an agent who d...

In this episode of The Crop Insurance Podcast , we’re diving into the exciting world of precision agriculture and how it’s transforming crop insurance. From streamlining reporting to improving APH accuracy and simplifying claims, we explore how tools like yield monitors and GPS mapping are reshaping the game. Plus, learn why understanding the rules behind precision ag is just as important as the t...