As the calendar turns toward a new year, the American crop insurance industry is reporting a sentiment of stability. This has been bolstered by record-high participation and new legislation.
In a recent year-end interview, Tom Zacharias, president of National Crop Insurance Services, highlights the resilience of the crop insurance structure.
A record-long government shutdown earlier this cycle brought challenges. But Zacharias tells Mid-West Farm Report the public-private partnership ensured “policies were serviced, claims were paid, and there were virtually no business interruptions.”
Optimism in the coming year comes from the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill reconciliation act. Zacharias describes the legislation as a “well-appreciated shot in the arm” for the delivery system. Key provisions of the bill, set to take effect in 2026, include:
- Making coverage more affordable across multiple levels.
- Allowing farmers to hit the ground running in 2026 with improved supplemental blends.
- Bolstering the delivery systems that agents use to service rural America.
While the “Corn Belt” saw some minor issues with rust this year, Zacharias characterizes the overall season as “not so bad.” However, the industry remains focused on rapid response for catastrophic events. He points to the Hurricane Insurance Protection program as a success story. Georgia farmers hit by Hurricane Helene last year received indemnities within 30 days, a crucial lifeline for devastated operations.
According to a recent survey of 400 farmers, nine out of 10 producers now utilize crop insurance. This covers roughly 90 percent of field crop acreage nationwide. While specialty crops lag slightly behind at a 70 percent participation rate, Zacharias emphasizes that USDA and private companies are actively working to fill those gaps.
As growers prepare for the 2026 season, the advice from the top is tosit down with an agent now to tailor individual coverages with the new supplemental options provided by the OB3 bill.
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