The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency is launching a new crop insurance pilot program for hybrid wheat seed effective for the 2026 crop year and beyond. The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation approved the program under the Federal Crop Insurance Act, offering yield based coverage tailored to growers of hybrid wheat seed. Coverage levels will range from 50 to 85 percent, and the first sales closing date for the 2026 crop year is March 15, 2026. The program will initially be available in select counties in Minnesota and North Dakota where hybrid wheat seed production is concentrated.
The pilot establishes a dedicated set of crop provisions and an insurance standards handbook developed specifically for hybrid wheat seed growers. The yield based dollar plan is designed to address the unique risk profile of hybrid wheat seed production compared with other small grains. Producers interested in the new coverage are encouraged to work with a crop insurance agent to understand availability and terms in their area.
This pilot marks a significant extension of federally supported risk management tools for hybrid seed growers, a segment of the seed industry that has historically had limited tailored insurance options. By expanding coverage choices, the agency aims to help seed wheat producers manage production risk more effectively while they plant and harvest across a range of conditions in the Upper Midwest.
Source: USDAhttps://www.rma.usda.gov/policy-procedure/bulletins-memos/product-management-bulletin/pm-26-003-hybrid-wheat-seed