Pioneer Mindset: Crop Insurance in 2026: What Changed & Why It Matters with Landon Shafer
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Reference: Podcast Corner
Episode 108: Crop Insurance in 2026: What Changed & Why It Matters with Landon Shafer
March 03, 2026 | Pioneer Mindset Podcast | with Garrett Ruskamp
In this episode of Pioneer Mindset, I sat down with Landon Schafer to break down the biggest crop insurance updates heading into 2026. With increased premium support, expanded Beginning Farmer benefits, ARC/PLC flexibility, and stronger ECO/SCO options, this isn't a year to auto-renew coverage. It's a year to intentionally evaluate your risk, your cost of production, and how your insurance strategy supports your revenue and marketing plan.
In this week's episode about crop insurance we dive into these key factors:
- Premium support increased — many producers may see lower per-acre costs in 2026.
- ECO & SCO up to 95%% support — making county-level coverage more affordable than ever.
- Beginning Farmer benefits extended to 10 years with enhanced premium discounts.
- ARC/PLC flexibility improved, including higher reference prices and dual-benefit opportunities for 2025.
- Revenue protection > yield protection — insurance decisions should align with your financial strategy, not just bushels.
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Welcome to Pioneer Mindset! A podcast for rural ag business owners who want to challenge their mindset and address the discomfort in their business and personal lives by finding clarity resulting in bold conviction. Your host, Garrett Ruskamp, is a 5th generation farmer, husband and father from rural Nebraska. In the last 10 years of farming, he has experienced many challenges that business owners face on a day to day basis that stem from disorganization and being financially unaware. He understands the weight of uncertainty that comes from operating in a state of mind triggered by these struggles. Join Garrett as he shares his journey of the struggles he's faced in agriculture as a farmer and family man. He will dive into honest conversations to tackle the mindsets surrounding these issues, that will ultimately help you gain control leading to a profitable and sustainable business.
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