A New Book On Crop Insurance
A new book “Managing Risk Through Crop Insurance” authored by William Edwards, Iowa
State University and G. A. (Art) Barnaby, Kansas State University has been published. This
publication is designed to help farmers and other agribusiness interest to understand the basic provisions
in the crop insurance contracts that are widely available.
The first 6 chapters cover the history of crop insurance in the United States and a brief
introduction into crop insurance tools provided today. Participation in crop insurance by state is also
provided. The book includes the basics for calculating the actual production history that is used to set
insurance guarantees. In addition, examples are given to identify the differences between optional units,
basics units, enterprise units and whole farm units.
Chapters 6-11 evaluate each type of crop insurance coverage in detail. This was accomplished by
utilizing the same case farm with the same yields and prices carried through out the analysis. This allows
one to evaluate these types of contracts side by side, however one should recognize that there are
variations within crop years. For example, in some years the MPCI price election maybe higher than
the CRC price used to set the revenue guarantee. However, in most cases the CRC price election is
higher, as was assumed in the book.
Chapters 12-13 cover the various types of private insurance contracts that are delivered
through private insurance companies with no reinsurance from USDA. The primary private coverage
has traditionally been crop hail insurance but that product has expanded in recent years and continues
to expand. Chapters 14 and 15 were designed to help the reader evaluate the right type of coverage
and level of coverage for their farm. Finally, chapter 16 evaluates the use of crop insurance combined
with other risk management tools to manage price risk, generating a whole farm risk management plan.
This book was written to make crop insurance easier to understand and evaluate. It should be
a valuable tool for anyone who is either purchasing crop insurance or has an interest in the insurance
program.
This book is not available from the universities and must be purchased through the publisher.
The book is available by ordering through the following location:
Managing Risk Through Crop Insurance
ISBN NO.
0-86691-254-1
ORDER NO.
FP301NC
PRICE
$34.95
John Deere Publishing
5440 Corporate Park Drive
Davenport, IA 52807
1-800-522-7448
Disclaimer: This presentation was provided as strictly information to readers who may have an interest
in obtaining this material. This book is not recommended by Kansas State University or Iowa State
University and no warranties are implied.