Sixty organizations, including a majority of the nation’s farm groups, sent a letter this week to the House and Senate Budget Committees, as well as Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, urging them to protect crop insurance during the budget process in recognition of its central importance to farmers and the rural economy. “Cuts to crop insurance during this difficult time for …
Crop Insurance Industry Stable in 2019
The latest crop insurance industry outlook shows a stable picture right now, according to a presentation at last week’s Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) annual meeting in San Diego. “The crop insurance industry should be feeling pretty good about its current state, and stability is how we’d describe it,” said Steve Webersen, Head of Insurance Research at Conning, Inc. …
CIRB Emerging Leaders Program is Growing
The Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) Emerging Leaders Program just keeps growing. The 2018-19 CIRB ELP class includes: Back row – RJ Brinkmeyer – Farmers Mutual Hail Ryan Kramer- Farmers Mutual Hail Bret Keeler- ARMtech Insurance Services John Haldy – Guy Carpenter Kevin Boeckenstedt – Crop Risk Services Front row – Bryce Benson – American Farm Bureau Insurance Service …
Ag Day Essay Contest Winners Announced
The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) has announced the 2019 National Ag Day video and written essay winners, based on the theme “Agriculture: Food for Life. How does our nation lead the way?” The national written essay winner is Grace Brose from Box Elder, South Dakota. She receives a $1,000 prize and travel to Washington, D.C. for recognition at the …
CIRB Year in Review and Look Ahead
2018 was a very good year for the crop insurance and reinsurance industry and 2019 is looking good also. “This was a momentous year for the industry, compared to what might have been,” said Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) executive vice president Mike Torrey in his update at the organization’s annual meeting last week in San Diego. “We were …
USDA RMA Administrator Updates #CIRB2019
USDA Risk Management Agency administrator and Illinois farmer Martin Barbre attended the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) annual meeting this week to provide an update on his agency’s priorities. Barbre discussed a number of issues, including the Multi County Enterprise Unit, upcoming deadlines, a Farm Bill implementation listening session coming up February 26, disaster relief, and the Dairy Revenue …
Optimism in Crop Insurance Reinsurance Industry
This time last year, the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) was concerned about what might happen with the new farm bill. This year, members are pretty pleased with how it all turned out. CIRB chairman Zane Vaughn with ARMtech Insurance gives a lot of credit to the organization’s “Protect Crop Insurance” campaign. “It was very beneficial for staff on …
USDA Deputy Secretary Stresses Ethanol Support
USDA Deputy Secretary Steve Censky visited the 2019 National Ethanol Conference in Orlando this week to stress the administration’s strong support of ethanol. “You have very strong advocates in Sec. Perdue, myself and all of us at USDA who are working on your behalf as well as President Trump, who has also been a strong supporter – as you all …
American Lamb Board New Chair and Annual Report
The American Lamb Board has elected a new chairman and released its 2018 Annual Report. Dale Thorne, a sheep producer from Michigan, has been elected chairman of the American Lamb Board (ALB). He is serving his second 3-year term on the Board, representing the lamb feeding sector. Thorne has previously served as ALB vice chairman, treasurer and chairman of the …