December 2025/January 2026
The Precision Ag and Insurance Report
After the combines wrapped up harvest, one thing was clear yields were impressive. It would have been hard to have a more perfect year with moisture being just time. A few areas received excessive rain at times but in most cases still had a successful harvest. It’s interesting to look at what our genetics have done. And don’t get me wrong, the year was not without challenges as weed pressure was definitely a problem throughout most of the year. As we look at the year ahead, things will be more challenging as input prices continue to rise and grain prices have slumped. It’s worth asking ourselves if the fertility, Chemical and seed program we are using is going to consistently support this level of production? Will this price continue to support the farm and how can we protect a break even or better plan going forward? 2025 was a true test for diseases in our corn crop. We saw tar spot, northern corn leaf blight, southern rust and grey leaf spot all showing up in force.
We are going to dedicate this issue to discussing some of the Precision Soil things we can do for you. In recent weeks we have heard several advertisements offering you a whole farm approach to your agronomic needs. TAM Enterprises has teamed up with Earth Optics to bring you a reasonable priced solution to your determining your whole farm fertility, biology, and compaction needs. We offer soil Nutrients and fertility, Compaction, Biology, Carbon testing, and Field Management.
TruNutrient: Soil Nutrients Testing
We can deliver Macro andMicro-nutrient soil profile with GroundOwl™ multimodal sensing technology collecting 16 data points every second, we can offer comprehensive, accurate data integrated with a small number of ground truth soil samples and produce the most accurate and actionable insights on your soil’s fertility. This requires fewer physical samples translating to a more complete result with higher efficiency at a lower cost. This provides the highest resolution of variance.
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We can customize a tillage prescription based on compaction threshold, max tillage depth and the specific crop. It gives a true insight into variability.​
TruTill: Soil Compaction
We all have heavy equipment traffic, resting machinery and water flow across seasons can cause field compaction. Even moderate compaction can inhibit root growth of your crop. Compaction issues cause yield losses.
Our system measures your soil’s compaction with a contactless sensor technology and gives your compaction at inch-by-inch levels up to 18” below ground. The data can be delivered in a high precision map to complete a custom tillage prescription. You can now do deep tillage only where needed to allow better root growth. Compaction can reduce yields by up to 60%. Earth Optics TruTill technology can identify the problem areas and lead to increased yields. Using this data, you can create a customized tillage prescription that can be adjusted to preferences, including compaction threshold, mas tillage depth and specific crop.
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TruBio: We measure the biology in the soil to predict what will happen agronomically on the field. Analyzing soil biology, we can predict key field agronomic outcomes with over 90% confidence before the season starts. This accuracy and advanced timing unlock farm profitability by enable precise product placement for seed and biologicals.
Here is how our experience helps you:
Tailored solutions: Select the perfect combination of seed and crop protection products to match the biological conditions and potential risks identified in your field.
Custom Catalog of products: The software allows you to select the specific list of varieties you want to select from.
Data-Driven Precision: Harness our predictive analytics to proactively tackle the challenges specific to each field.
Improved Outcomes: With insights that provide targeted recommendations, you can confidently deliver key outcomes maximize crop performance.
What do I choose at FSA for 2026 ARC or PLC?
Steve Johnson retired as an Extension Farm Management Specialist. He indicates the best chance of payments for 2026 will be ARC CO for Corn and ARC CO for Soybeans. He says do not make this decision difficult. Stop in, let’s talk about your decision.
Questions?
Ask us today!
November 2025
The Precision Ag and Insurance Report
Supplemental Replant Option (RO)
For 2026 you may want to check into our Supplemental Replant Option (RO). The Replant Option is sold in increments of $20, $30, and $40 per acre of elected coverage. It allows you to plant up to 15 days prior to the earliest planting date for MPCI. Stop in and lets talk about how this might work into your risk management plan.
Changes for 2026 Multi-Peril Crop Insurance
The Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) and Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) have had premium subsidies increased from 65% to 80% for 2026 making SCO and ECO very affordable. SCO has been decoupled from the FSA PLC farm program Option. You can now purchase SCO and ECO together on any farm. This would allow you to purchase individual Revenue policy up to 75 and then purchase County Base (Shallow Loss) plans of SCO and ECO would cover from 86% to 95%. This is just one option/example. Stop in and talk to us about how this works. Managing risk has become increasingly complex as evolving weather patterns significantly influence insurance decisions and risk management strategies. ​
Fall Prices are out!
Corn is $4.22 (down 10.2%) and soybeans $10.35(down 1.8%), Spring prices were Corn $4.70 and Soybeans $10.54. That means your guarantee stays the same as spring and your policy will only trigger if your actual harvest revenue drops below the original base line. If you had a unit with a yield close to your guarantee you may be eligible for indemnity. Let’s look at your production to verify you did not have a revenue loss. The final day to report a Revenue loss is 45 days after fall prices are announced which would put us to the middle of December. The end of the insurance period is December 10.
Use precision information to report Acres for your crop Insurance
Did you know that you can download your planter, combine monitor, or grain cart to report your acres or production to your crop insurance agent? You can use John Deere Operations Center or Ag Leader to download the information. You might ask why I want to do this? To answer that question many growers have invested in precision agriculture technology to make their operations more efficient and profitable. This will improve your accuracy and reduce the risk of underreporting or overreporting acres. You will only pay premium on acres planted. Efficiency is improved because most data needed for acreage and production reporting is recorded by your precision farming system and can be seamlessly transmitted to the Insurance company. We are flexible and can take data from most precision displays and have connections to multiple Farm Management Information Systems. Having data sorted digitally will make record keeping simpler and prevent the loss of important planting and harvest data. Precision ag claims can be completed in less time and with more transparency. Stop in and ask about how this works with your operation.
Looking Ahead
Now is the time to start thinking about 2026 and building a plan to protect your 2026 investments. No “one size fits all solution” is available for your farm operation. Let’s look at the different options and see what we can do. I offer a private endorsement product that allows you to insure your corn and soybeans at a higher price than what is available under your revenue Protection Policy.
Questions?
Ask us today!
September 2025
The Precision Ag and Insurance Report
This is the first of many newsletters from TAM Enterprises. We will use this as an opportunity to discuss current topics related to Crop & Livestock Insurance and Precision Agriculture today. TAM Enterprises is a company that provides Crop and Livestock Insurance and Precision Agriculture technology to producers in Southwest Minnesota. The Team consists of Ron McCarve & Abby McCarvel as agents to provide the latest in crop and livestock insurance and Taylor McCarvel to provide information and consulting services in agronomics and Precision Equipment technology. Taylor has a bachelor’s degree in Precision Agriculture from South Dakota State University. It is not our goal to sell you more precision equipment but to help you utilize the information you have collected over the years and optimize the use of the data.
The One Big Beautiful Bill offers opportunities!!
The one Big Beautiful Bill has provided several opportunities for producers. They are still trying to sort out all of the specifics but here are just a few:
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Enhanced premium subsidies for beginning farmers: Years 1-2; 15% additional, year 3;13% additional subsidy, year 4; 11% subsidy and years 5-10;10% subsidy. Previously this was limited to 5 years with a 10% additional subsidy.
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Other premium subsidies for standard Revenue and APH plans will increase 3-5 percentage points over the coming years. SCO, ECO & MCO will increase from 65% to 80% Subsidy for 2026. SCO will now be available to producers regardless of the FSA Program participation in ARC or PLC.
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Margin Coverage Option (MCO) is a new endorsement for your crop insurance. It is a combination of Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) and Margin Protection (MP) endorsements previously offered. MCO is an area plan that pays based upon the results of the County rather than the producers’ individual experience. Again, this is an endorsement on top of your individual Revenue or APH plan. It provides you with coverage from 86% to 95% of the County yield. The subsidy has increased to 80% of the cost, making this a very affordable option. MCO covers reduced prices, yield loss and includes protection against increased prices of fuel, and fertilizer in our area. Sales closing for this product is September 30, 2025, for the 2026 crop.
Key Farm Program changes
PLC Prices will increase from 10% to 41% on crops. This increases the Floor prices for payments under PLC. FSA Farm Program Payments for 2025 will be the higher of ARC-County or PLC Payment regardless of their
enrollment election. For 2026 program year up to 30 million new base acres will be allocated to farms based on 2019-2023 planting history. (We need to see how this will break out). Payment limits have increased from $125,000 to $155,000 per person or entity and adjusted for inflation.
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Precision Ag Services Available
We offer Zone Based soil sampling and Grid Sampling based upon your needs. This sampling can also include “predictive ag maps” that indicate potential problems with Corn Rootworm, Fusarium, pythium, Rhizoctonia, Anthracnose of Corn, Tar spot, Goss’ Wilt, Northern Corn Leaf Blight, and Grey Leaf Spot in corn. Soybean Cyst Nematode, Sudden Death Syndrome, White Mold, Soybean Brown Stem Rot, and Soybean Stem Canker in Soybeans. We can help you identify varieties that would best fit the field and provide prescription maps for planting and fertilization. These with your yield maps will increase your production and reduce costs. Yield maps and planting maps can be used to report your acres to FSA and Crop Insurance, increasing your accuracy and reducing your premiums.
Crop Insurance Final Words
Contact the office within 72 hours of identifying a loss to complete your notice of loss. Premiums are due September 30, 2025. Please make sure the envelope is postmarked, or you will be charged interest.
Questions?
Ask us today!