Stronger commodity prices may be creating opportunities for farmers, but fertilizer and energy costs continue to add uncertainty to farm margins. In this episode of FMH InsureCast, StoneX Vice President of Fertilizer Josh Linville joins FMH’s Dave DeCapp and Ken Ripley to discuss what’s driving fertilizer markets, how global supply conditions are affecting input prices, and what farmers may want to consider as they plan ahead.

They cover:

• What global fertilizer markets could mean for input costs
• Why producers might consider layering fertilizer purchases 
• How commodity prices and input costs factor into margin coverage
• Margin Coverage Option (MCO) and Margin Protection considerations
• What producers should discuss with their crop insurance agents before the September 30 deadline

With crop prices, fertilizer costs, and global markets all moving at once, understanding how these factors work together can help producers make more informed risk management decisions.

MCO and Margin Protection have a September 30 deadline for the upcoming crop year. Talk with your crop insurance agent about your operation, expected county yields, and whether margin-based coverage may fit your risk management plan.

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#CropInsurance #Agriculture #Farming #FertilizerPrices #FarmMargins #RiskManagement #MCO #MarginProtection

County yields are now available, providing an early look at how the Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) and Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) plans performed across the country. Join FMH’s Dave DeCapp as he talks with FMH experts about payment triggers, adoption trends, and what agents and farmers should understand about these area-based crop insurance plans.

With growing economic pressures and continued farm bill discussions, insurance priorities and risk management programs remain at the center of important policy decisions. Host Dave DeCapp and special guest Tara Smith from the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) discuss the latest news on the Farm Bill, updates from Washington, and key issues farmers and agents should watch.

As planters roll for across the country, farmers are navigating a wide range of conditions, from early planting in some regions to drought, cold, and excess moisture in others. 

Join Dave DeCapp as he connects with FMH experts and farmers from across the country to discuss what they’re experiencing and seeing in the field and how it may impact planting, claims, and risk management for the 2026 season.

Farmers are facing another financially-challenging year heading into 2026. With federal crop insurance program enhancements to ECO, SCO, and Beginning Farmer & Rancher (BFR), as well as new FSA and Disaster Relief Program options, farmers have many new considerations to update their crop insurance policy this spring. Dave and FMH experts break it down for farmers and agents.

The sugar beet industry plays a vital role in the U.S. sugar supply—and in the lives of the growers who produce it. Join Dave and FMH experts Sara Ahrenholz and Andrew Sather as they share firsthand insights into the lifecycle of sugar beets, from planting to processing, and what agents and insureds should know in this holiday special FMH InsureCast episode.

The Beginning Farmer & Rancher (BFR) program offers qualifying producers enhanced benefits under federal crop insurance to make it more affordable and help them grow a sustainable operation. Certain changes to the program, such as increased eligibility and benefits, took effect with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) earlier this year.

Join Dave and FMH expert Josh Menz as they discuss what agents and insureds should know about these changes in this bonus episode of FMH InsureCast.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) made changes to the Federal Crop Insurance Act. On August 20, 2025, RMA announced immediate implementation of certain sections of this legislation, including premium discount increases for certain federal products including ECO, SCO, and MCO, changes to the Beginning Farmer & Rancher (BFR) program, and more.

Join Dave DeCapp and Ken Ripley as they discuss what agents and insureds need to know about these changes and updates to FSA and farm safety programs, including ECAP and SDRP.

Join Dave and Farmers Mutual Hail crop insurance experts as they discuss the new federal product for 2026, Margin Coverage Option (MCO). MCO is an MPCI endorsement that combines the simplicity of the popular Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) with the unique capability to insure against reduced margins. With a September 30 Sales Closing Date, be sure to learn about the product now and if it’s right for your farm operation.

The target date for farmer sign-up for the USDA Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) opens on Monday, July 7, 2025. This program provides assistance to farmers who experienced losses of revenue, quality, or production of crops due to weather-related events in 2023 and 2024. Join Dave and Ken as they talk about what to expect with SDRP with special guest Tom Sell, on topics like application requirements, payment limitations, and how crop insurance plays into the process.