Net Return to Farm Program Crops: Harvest 2024
Concern over low crop prices and high costs is a 2024 farm bill cornerstone issue (farmdoc daily September 26, 2024). A common methodology is used to calculate current and historic…
Pasture, Rangeland and Forage Rainfall Index Insurance: An Insurance Product for Illinois Livestock and Forage Producers
The Pasture, Rangeland and Forage Rainfall Index (PRF-RI) is a crop insurance product underutilized by Illinois livestock and forage producers. Only 6% of the eligible acres in Illinois were insured in 2024, much lower than use west of the Mississippi. Like other Federal crop insurance programs, PRF-RI is heavily subsidized. Over time, PRF-RI has returned $1.29 in payments for each $1.00 in producer-paid premium.
Loss of US Farmland in the 21st Century, Part II: Regional Perspective for Major Land Use Categories from the Census of Agriculture
For all nine US regions, land in farms has declined in the 21st Century. Much has been written and said about the Midwest’s loss of cropland. However, cropland’s share of Midwest farmland and thus its relative importance in the Midwest increased. Specialization occurred in the use of farmland while pastureland declined the most in all nine regions. This decline was likely facilitated by the growth in confinement livestock operations.
The farmdoc Crop Insurance section offers iFARM online tools including the Premium Calculator, Payment Evaluator and Price Distribution Tool. These tools are updated annually during the Spring crop insurance election period.