Managing Farm Risk with MCO and ECO Coverage Options

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

As the September 30 crop insurance enrollment deadline approaches, producers are evaluating supplemental coverage options that can strengthen their risk management strategies for the 2027 crop year. To support this decision-making process, the University of Minnesota Extension is hosting a webinar focused on the Margin Coverage Option (MCO) and its role in crop insurance planning.

The webinar will be led by Henrique Monaco, Assistant Professor of Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota, with contributions from Jenny Ifft of Kansas State University. The session will provide practical insights into how MCO can fit into farm risk management plans amid ongoing market uncertainty.

A major focus of the discussion will be MCO projections for 2027, including expected prices and premium costs. Presenters will also review the program's historical loss experience to help producers better understand its past performance under varying market conditions.

The session will compare MCO with the Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO), highlighting the advantages and trade-offs associated with each program. Farmers will gain guidance on selecting coverage options that align with their operational goals and risk tolerance.

Experts will also examine how the timing of price discovery can influence insurance outcomes. Understanding these market dynamics can help producers make more informed coverage decisions ahead of enrollment deadlines.

Another key topic will be how MCO responds to shifts in crop revenue and rising input expenses. The discussion will focus on major cost factors such as fertilizer and energy, which continue to affect farm profitability.

In addition, presenters will explore the use of different supplemental coverage strategies across crops and counties. This information may be particularly valuable for producers managing diverse operations with varying levels of risk exposure.

With input costs remaining high and commodity markets continuing to fluctuate, understanding available insurance tools is increasingly important. The webinar is designed to provide farmers and agricultural professionals with practical information to support informed crop insurance decisions for 2027.

Event Details