USDA Expands Crop Insurance Options for Forage Producers in 2027
Forage producers will have additional crop insurance options beginning with the 2027 crop year, including new revenue protection choices designed to help protect against both yield losses and changes in market prices.
The USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced that forage producers in eligible counties in 12 states — including Minnesota and South Dakota — will have access to expanded coverage options for 2027.
What’s Changing?
In select counties, the existing Actual Production History (APH) coverage for forage production will be replaced with coverage structured more like other federal crop insurance revenue programs. The change applies in eligible counties in California, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin.
Producers in eligible areas will have three coverage options:
Yield Protection (YP)
Provides protection against a loss in yield.
Revenue Protection (RP)
Provides protection against a loss in revenue resulting from yield loss, price decline, or a yield loss when prices are higher.
Revenue Protection with Harvest Price Exclusion (RP-HPE)
Provides protection against revenue losses caused by yield loss, a decline in the harvest price below the projected price, or a combination of both.
September 30 Deadline
One date forage producers will want to keep in mind is September 30, 2026.
Producers interested in the new 2027 coverage options in eligible areas should contact their crop insurance agent before the September 30 sales closing date.
Forage Production also has an acreage reporting date of November 15 in both Minnesota and South Dakota.
Is Your Forage Eligible?
Generally, forage may be insurable if you have a share in the crop and it is grown during one or more years following the year it was established. There are additional requirements related to adequate stand, crop use and stand age.
Because availability and coverage can vary by county, crop type and practice, producers should talk with their crop insurance agent about what is available for their individual operation.
Talk With KDL Insurance
These changes provide forage producers with more choices for managing both production and price risk, but the best option will depend on your operation and location.
Contact KDL Insurance to learn more about the new 2027 Forage Production coverage options and how they may fit your farm.
Learn More:
→ USDA: More Crop Insurance Options for Forage Producers
→ RMA Forage Production Fact Sheet
Protect Your Margins and Manage Risk with Confidence
KDL Insurance LLC is committed to helping you find the right coverage mix for your farm.
