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 protection, and why understanding shallow-loss coverage is more important than ever.

Mike and Alex unpack margin-based vs. revenue-based policies, the intricacies of area-level risk coverage, and the practical implementation challenges for farmers—especially in large counties like those in northern Montana. They share the backstory behind the development of MCO, including its legislative hurdles and the innovative 508(h) process that helped bring it to life.

You'll also hear how export dynamics and input costs are squeezing farm margins, and why education—not sales—is key to making informed decisions. Whether you’re a crop insurance agent or a producer trying to "do the math," this episode is your guide to navigating the evolving landscape of federal crop insurance.