Buy-up option for prevented planting insurance eliminated

A new federal crop insurance rule that drops buy-up option coverage for prevented planting insurance will be "bad news for North Dakota farmers," according to North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne.

"Preventive Plant and the buy-up for North Dakota farmers is an essential tool for us," said Watne. "It is where farmers can purchase additional coverage to minimize weather impacts. It seems we are getting kicked in the gut again when our markets are impacted by tariffs and profitability is nearly impossible."

The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation rule that eliminates the buy-up option is part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The rule is set to take effect for the 2026 crop year and succeeding years for crops with a contract change date on or after Nov. 30, 2025

"While we appreciate the improvements OBBBA made to farm programs and crop insurance to improve the farm safety net, this rule does the opposite for North Dakota farmers - it creates a hole in the net. It will definitely hurt farmers' bottom lines, creating uncertainty and continued need for ad hoc disaster aid."