Planning for a successful grain year in 2022 (Credit Corner)

(Editor’s note: Jessica Clarke is a crop insurance agent with MidAtlantic Farm Credit.)

It’s no secret that this new year will intensify challenges for agriculture producers due to inflation and increase in price per acre to grow our crops.
Crop insurance may be the key to mitigating your operation’s risk as you head into the 2022 planting season.
Why is crop insurance important for my risk management plan?
Crop insurance can provide agricultural producers protection on two major sources of risk: production and price.
Over the past five years, our area has started to see more fluctuation in weather than usual.
Crop insurance will help protect you when adverse weather events take a toll on your crop production, which will enable you to recover faster.
Aside from weather, crop insurance will also cover you when there is a loss in crop revenue due to price fluctuations.
Having this coverage ensures a reliable level of cash flow and will allow more flexibility in your marketing plan.
Loan officers like to see crop insurance as part of your business plan because it shows that with some level of production insured, the crop could be forward-priced with greater certainty, creating a more predictable level of revenue.
It will show that even amid disaster, the customer still has repayment ability, and will help ease your financial risk when applying for a loan or line of credit.
Crop insurance enables your operation to meet your financial obligations and ensure the survival of your farm business.
What types of crop insurance are available for my operation?
• Yield Protection
• Revenue Protection
• Dairy Revenue Protection
• Livestock Risk Protection
• Hail/Fire Policies
• Whole Farm Revenue Protection
In the face of new challenges, it’s become increasingly important for farmers to partner with crop insurance providers who bring expertise and resources that help to minimize loss and expedite recovery.
Contact a crop insurance agent prior to the March 15 spring crop sales closing deadline.
We can review changes in your operation, discuss any concerns, and provide customized quotes that outline your coverage options and give you an estimated premium cost.
We’re here to help your 2022 growing year be a success.