USDA Faces Pressure on Crop Insurance

Lawmakers push restored prevented planting coverage for farmers nationwide

A bipartisan group of United States senators has urged the Department of Agriculture to restore additional crop insurance coverage for acres prevented from being planted. Lawmakers raised concerns after the department decided to remove the option for producers to purchase buy-up prevented planting coverage. 

When extreme weather conditions delay or stop planting, prevented planting coverage helps farmers manage financial risk. Senators stressed that removing this option limits farmers’ access to important protection tools, especially during a period of rising climate uncertainty. 

The lawmakers acknowledged USDA’s recent efforts to expand access to crop insurance through new rules aimed at reducing burdens for producers. However, they expressed serious concern that changes related to prevented planting coverage could negatively impact farmers across the country. 

Congress has previously provided disaster assistance to producers affected by planting delays. However, senators emphasized that such assistance is temporary and uncertain. Crop insurance, on the other hand, offers dependable protection that farmers can plan around each season. 

Federal law has long supported the availability of additional prevented planting coverage. According to USDA data, the removal of buy-up coverage could affect more than 67 million acres nationwide in a single year, impacting all covered crops and every state. 

Lawmakers stated that access to buy-up coverage provides farmers with an added layer of certainty when disasters beyond their control prevent timely planting. This protection allows producers to recover more effectively and maintain stable farm operations. 

The senators respectfully requested that USDA reverse its decision and restore prevented planting buy-up coverage starting with future crop years. They believe reinstating this option would strengthen risk management tools and help farmers remain resilient during challenging weather events.