Insurance Curator Small farms in the USA face a mix of price, yield and weather risk. Choosing the right mix of federal and private policies—Revenue Protection (RP), Pasture, Rangeland & Forage (PRF), and hail-only/endorsed hail—can protect cash flow, preserve working capital, and keep your operation eligible for USDA programs. This guide, focused on common small‑farm regions such as Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Texas, explains product purpose, real-world pricing ranges, leading providers, and decision checkpoints for small operators.
Quick summary: the three pillars
- Revenue Protection (RP) / Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) — federal program that protects revenue from price and yield loss. Good for row crops, specialty crops, and farms reliant on commodity revenue.
- Pasture, Rangeland & Forage (PRF) — index-based federal program that pays on shortfalls in forage production (useful for grazing livestock and small mixed operations).
- Hail-only insurance (private or through agents) — typically used for high-value crops, orchards and small-acreage specialty fields; sold by private insurers and crop-hail specialists.
For background on MPCI and revenue/index choices see Multi-Peril Crop Insurance Explained and for yield-based choices see Best Insurance For Crop Insurance Survivability: NAC and APH Yield Protections Compared. For help comparing revenue and index policies for weather risk, see Best Insurance For Crop & Agricultural Businesses to Manage Weather Risk: Index and Revenue Policies.
1) Revenue Protection (RP) — what it covers and pricing
What RP does
- Federal MPCI program that guarantees a farm’s revenue per acre (expected yield × projected price). If actual revenue falls below the guarantee because of yield loss or price declines, the policy pays the difference.
- Available for common commodities (corn, soybeans, wheat) and many specialty crops. Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) is an alternative for diversified small farms.
Subsidies and affordability
- RP and other MPCI plans are subsidized by USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA). Premium subsidies significantly reduce grower premiums; subsidy levels vary by product and coverage level. See RMA product pages for exact subsidy schedules and eligibility rules: https://www.rma.usda.gov.
- RMA product pages: Revenue Protection overview — https://www.rma.usda.gov/en/Products/Revenue-Protection
- Whole-Farm Revenue Protection — https://www.rma.usda.gov/en/Products/Whole-Farm-Revenue-Protection
Typical cost examples
- For a small corn farm in Iowa selecting 75% RP coverage, total premium before subsidy might be in the range of $12–$35 per acre, depending on actuarial rates and chosen coverage level; after RMA subsidy, small farm out-of-pocket premiums often range $4–$15 per acre. Exact rates vary by county, yield history and coverage elected; work with your crop insurance agent to get accurate quotes.
Leading providers for RP / MPCI
- MPCI policies are delivered through approved private insurance companies and local agents; common carriers include:
- ProAg (regional crop insurance specialist)
- Rain and Hail (Nationwide/Rain and Hail network) — agent-distributed MPCI
- Local Farm Bureau agents and insurance companies writing USDA policies
(For how MPCI ties into USDA programs and premium subsidies see RMA's program pages.)
2) Pasture, Rangeland & Forage (PRF) — ideal for grazing operations
What PRF does
- PRF is an RMA program that pays based on a vegetation index calculated from satellite data (forage productivity) for your county and a chosen productivity index interval. It’s designed for producers who rely on pasture and forage for livestock (dairy, beef, sheep).
- PRF does not require production records like APH and pays on index shortfalls rather than measured on-farm yields.
Pricing and suitability
- PRF premium depends on the coverage interval you choose and the productivity factor. Because it’s index-based there is basis risk (county index may not perfectly match your paddocks).
- Example: A small Nebraska cattle operation buying PRF at a mid-level productivity factor might pay $3–$10 per acre depending on coverage percentage, interval and subsidy. See RMA PRF program details: https://www.rma.usda.gov/en/Policy-and-Procedure/pasture-rangeland-and-forage
Who should consider PRF
- Small livestock farms with rented pasture, transition cattle operations, or those with limited production records that still need predictable risk protection.
3) Hail coverage options — private, flexible protection for small-acreage/high-value crops
Product types
- Hail-only policies (private insurers) — cover direct crop loss from hail; often sold on per-acre or per-unit value basis with a deductible and optional coverage for fire/wind.
- Hail endorsements to MPCI — add hail coverage or change deductible structure within a federal policy.
- Named-peril private policies — for specialty crops (high-value vegetables, orchards, vineyard blocks).
Typical pricing examples (private hail)
- Hail premiums vary widely with crop value, expected yield, deductible and region:
- Commodity corn/soybeans: $0.50–$3.00 per acre for basic hail depending on deductible and region.
- High-value vegetables, fruit, tree nuts: $10–$100+ per acre (reflecting higher value and sensitivity).
- Rain & Hail (a leading hail specialist) and Farmers Mutual Hail (FMH) are major providers; get quotes through local agents. See Rain & Hail product details at https://www.rainhail.com and FMH at https://www.fmh.com for agent contact and product summaries.
Leading private providers for hail
- Rain & Hail (Nationwide-affiliated) — broad agent network for hail and specialty crop coverage.
- Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance (FMH) — concentrated service for Midwest producers, hail and multi-peril products.
- Local independent agents and regional mutuals — often the best route for small farms because they bundle coverages and know county loss histories.
Comparison: RP vs PRF vs Hail (at-a-glance)
| Feature | Revenue Protection (RP) | Pasture, Rangeland & Forage (PRF) | Hail-only (private) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Federal MPCI (revenue) | Federal index-based (forage) | Private named-peril |
| Best for | Row crops, commodity revenue | Grazing & forage for livestock | High-value/spot-acre crops |
| Pays on | Yield or price shortfalls | County vegetation index shortfall | Direct physical damage from hail |
| Subsidy | Yes — RMA premium subsidy | Yes — RMA premium subsidy | Usually no federal subsidy |
| Typical cost (per acre, after subsidy) | $4–$15 (commodity examples) | $3–$10 | $0.5–$100 (depends on crop value) |
| Providers | MPCI-approved insurers via agents | RMA-approved via agents | Rain & Hail, FMH, local agents |
How to choose for a small farm in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas or Texas
- Start with federal eligibility & subsidies — if you grow insured commodities, RP (or WFRP for diversified farms) gives broad protection and federal subsidy that often makes it the backbone of a risk-management plan. See RMA product pages: https://www.rma.usda.gov.
- If you run livestock or rely on pasture, evaluate PRF for its low record burden — useful in Nebraska and Kansas where grazing is core to the business.
- If you produce specialty/high-value acreages (orchards, vegetables, hemp), add private hail or specialty crop policies from Rain & Hail or FMH. Get multiple private quotes — policies and pricing vary widely by crop and county.
- Bundle and coordinate — combine RP/MPCI for revenue with a private hail policy for any high-risk spot acres to avoid large out-of-pocket losses on small, high-value fields.
- Local agent + county actuarial data — work with a licensed crop insurance agent who can pull county-level actuarial tables and give exact premium and subsidy figures for your fields.
Real-world steps for small-farm implementation
- Contact your local crop insurance agent before the sales closing dates (these vary by crop and county).
- Collect historical yield records, enterprise budget numbers, and current lease terms to determine exposure.
- Request quotes for RP at multiple coverage levels (50–85%) and for PRF intervals (if you run livestock).
- Get private hail quotes (Rain & Hail, FMH or local mutual) and compare per-acre premium vs. deductible options.
- Maintain records and file timely acreage reports to protect claims eligibility.
Sources and additional reading
- USDA Risk Management Agency — Pasture, Rangeland & Forage (PRF) program: https://www.rma.usda.gov/en/Policy-and-Procedure/pasture-rangeland-and-forage
- USDA Risk Management Agency — Revenue Protection & Whole-Farm Revenue Protection overview: https://www.rma.usda.gov/en/Products/Revenue-Protection and https://www.rma.usda.gov/en/Products/Whole-Farm-Revenue-Protection
- Rain & Hail (Nationwide-affiliated) — product and hail insurance info: https://www.rainhail.com
- Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance (FMH) — hail and crop protection products: https://www.fmh.com
For specialized comparisons on indexing and revenue products and deeper claims guidance, see our related posts: Multi-Peril Crop Insurance Explained and Best Insurance For Crop & Agricultural Businesses to Manage Weather Risk: Index and Revenue Policies.