Ag Industry Trends & Outlooks

Crop insurance can protect against financial losses from weather-related crop damage and quality reductions. Its purpose is to ensure farmers can continue operating after a difficult season. In a year like 2023, being insured against these types of weather events can make or break a business.

In 2023, the Northeast experienced another wet tobacco growing season. Given the high cost of tobacco cultivation (over $1,000 per acre), risk management plans are crucial for producers. Connecticut insured more than 3,000 acres of this valuable crop. The purpose of crop insurance, like any other insurance, is not to bring profits but to make the producer whole again so they can continue to farm the following year.

Last year saw a marked decline in milk prices from 2022. Feed and fuel costs declined to a lesser extent, but many other expenses increased, reducing margins for dairy producers. Farm Credit East and Crop Growers crop insurance recently hosted a webinar to provide a 2024 outlook for the Northeast dairy industry. 

The deadline to insure spring crops in the northeast for the 2024 crop year is March 15, 2024. Insurable spring crops include field and vegetable crops such as corn, soybeans, barley, oats, fresh market sweet corn, cabbage, processing beans, processing sweet corn, dry beans, green peas, fresh market beans, tomatoes, tobacco and potatoes.