Senate Leaders Urge USDA to Reinstate Prevented Planting Coverage

In a recent move to protect farmers and ranchers nationwide, Senate Agriculture Committee leaders sent a formal letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins demanding the restoration of prevented planting coverage that was eliminated by a new federal regulation.

Understanding the EARP Rule

The Expanding Access to Risk Protection (EARP) rule, introduced by the USDA’s Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), aims to enhance crop insurance accessibility for farmers. The regulation was promoted as a means of modernizing the insurance system to make it more beneficial for those in the agricultural sector. According to a statement by Rollins, the initiative is intended to “expand access to crop insurance and simplify the process for farmers and ranchers.”

Concerns Raised by Senators

Despite the positive aspects of the EARP rule welcomed by Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), along with 17 additional senators, they specifically highlighted concerns regarding Section VI of the rule, which pertains to the “Removal of Buy-Up Coverage on Prevented Planting.”

In their January 22 letter, the senators expressed their worries: “Eliminating the option for producers to purchase additional buy-up coverage for prevented planting is troubling, especially at a time when our farmers need access to all risk management tools available to them.”

The Impact of Buy-Up Coverage Removal

Section VI of the EARP rule states:

The senators pointed out that this change could affect more than 67 million acres across the nation in 2025 alone, raising concerns about the reliability of ad hoc assistance for farmers in times of disaster.

Call to Action

In their correspondence with the USDA, the senators urged a reversal of the decision, advocating that producers should regain access to additional prevented planting coverage. Doing so would provide much-needed certainty when unforeseen disasters impede crop planting.

What’s Next?

The EARP rule is expected to take effect for the 2026 crop year and subsequent years for crops with a contract change date on or after November 30, 2025. For all other crops, the changes will be applicable starting in 2027.

The FCIC is currently accepting comments on the EARP rule until January 27, 2026, offering an opportunity for affected stakeholders to voice their opinions.

Conclusion

The ongoing dialogue between lawmakers and the USDA highlights the critical need for responsive agricultural policies that serve the diverse needs of farmers across the country. As discussions continue, the future of prevented planting coverage remains a focal point for many within the agricultural community.

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