Crop insurance: A barrier to conservation adoption?

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Economics
• Agronomy
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Midwest corn producers manage significant operational risks.
• Crop insurance is a long-standing risk-management tool in agriculture.
• Limited research exists on external factors, like crop insurance, influencing conservation adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if crop insurance requirements impede cover crops and conservation tillage adoption among Midwest corn producers.
• To understand the relationship between crop insurance and conservation practice adoption.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was employed.
• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with producers.
• A multi-state survey was administered to gather quantitative data.

Main Results:

• Crop insurance requirements were found not to be a barrier to adopting conservation practices.
• Crop insurance and conservation practices fulfill unique, non-contradictory roles.
• Producers utilize both crop insurance and conservation practices simultaneously.

Conclusions:

• Crop insurance does not limit the adoption of cover crops or conservation tillage.
• Conservation practices and crop insurance can be complementary tools for Midwest corn producers.
• Further research is needed to identify and address other external barriers to conservation adoption.