SCO/ECO County Yields Could Be Released Next Week
For corn and soybean growers who purchased Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) or Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) crop insurance, next week could bring an important update.
The USDA Risk Management Agency is expected to release final county yields for the 2025 crop year, which are used to determine whether SCO and ECO payments will be triggered.
How SCO and ECO Coverage Works
Unlike Revenue Protection (RP) insurance, which is based on an individual farm’s production and revenue, SCO and ECO are county-based insurance products. That means payments are determined by county performance rather than what happened for a specific producer.
As a result, some producers who experienced disappointing yields may not receive a payment if the “county” performed well. On the other hand, producers with average or even above-average yields could still qualify for an indemnity if their county revenue falls below the policy trigger level.
Why County Yield Data Matters
Once the county yields are released, farmers will have a clearer picture of whether payments are likely and how well these products performed during the 2025 crop year.
Comparing farm yields to county results can also help explain why indemnity payments may be larger—or smaller—than expected.
Looking Ahead to Future Crop Insurance Decisions
The release of county yield data provides more than just payment information. It also offers producers an opportunity to evaluate future crop insurance strategies.
With tight margins, volatile grain markets, and continued uncertainty across agriculture, many growers are looking closely at every risk management tool available. SCO and ECO have become increasingly popular because they offer an additional layer of protection against shallow losses at the county level.
An Important Report for Insured Growers
While the release of final county yields may not attract the same attention as a major USDA report, they carry significant importance for producers enrolled in these programs.
For many farms, the upcoming data release will determine whether supplemental coverage delivered the protection it was designed to provide and help shape crop insurance decisions for the 2027 growing season.
Kyle Adams
Crop Insurance Expert | Marketing Advisor, Eastern Corn Belt
With more than a decade of experience as a crop insurance agent, Kyle integrates our marketing strategies with crop insurance products to maximize both sets of tools, creating a well-rounded risk management program for our clients.
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