The president of an Ohio-based insurance agency says U.S. farmers will see some big changes to their federal crop insurance coverage options for 2026.
Jason Williamson, with Williamson Crop Insurance, says the One Big Beautiful Bill Act provided enhancements to producers selecting the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) or the Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO).
“A farmer will only have to pay 20 percent of what those policies should cost,” he says. “This is a significant change from what it was in 25, really encouraging folks to look at these higher triggers or higher levels of coverage.”
He tells Brownfield the legislation also includes premium support for enterprise units and optional units.
“Prior, the discount factor was 55 percent, now next year in 26, the discount factor is 60 percent,” he says. “Now, they’re only paying 40 percent of what it should cost.”
Williamson says the USDA also recently announced the Expanding Access to Risk Protection Final Rule, which is designed to help ease regulatory challenges.
“They have removed a requirement that in order for a farm to qualify for prevent plant, it had to be planted and ensured in one of the last four years,” he says. “It was just a real burden.”
Williamson says producers should meet with their local insurance agent to select their coverage before March 15th, 2026 deadline. The EARP Final Rule became effective on November 30th for crops with a contract change date on or after that date. The USDA will accept public comments until January 27, 2026.
