Cardinal Insurance

09/29/2026

Potential kernel damage
Recent heavy rainfall has increased the risk of mold, sprouting, and discoloration.
Pre-harvest sprouting risk
Pre-harvest sprouting occurs when dry grain—below 20% moisture—becomes wet. The issue is more evident south of our area, where corn was drier when the rainy season began in mid-to-late August. Late-season rain, warm temperatures, and upright ears further increase the risk, often causing kernels in the lower portion of the ear to sprout.
We recommend harvesting potentially damaged fields as soon as possible. Delays increase the risk of ear loss, mold, and mycotoxin development. If an insured suspects quality issues, they should first have a sample tested by their local elevator. Prompt action can help maximize value and limit losses. If testing confirms damage, we will file a claim, arrange for an adjuster to collect a sample, and measure the stored production. Reduced test weight and quality adjustments can result in a bushel loss even when no loss is visually apparent. Do not mix potentially damaged grain with other grain. If rain-damaged grain must be stored, dry it thoroughly and keep it dry until delivery to the elevator.
Timely loss-notice requirements are required, citing the ease of prompt communication with today’s technology. A harvest claim involving production loss must be opened within 15 days after the affected unit is harvested. Text messages provide a useful date-and-time record of when you notified us of a potential loss. Text us from the field, do not wait until harvest is complete. Withdrawing a claim that has no loss is easier than obtaining payment on a late-filed claim.

09/28/2026

The USDA will finalize the 2025 Marketing Year Average (MYA) prices for corn and soybean crops on September 30, 2026. These final numbers determine if cash payments are triggered under the Agricultural Risk Coverage County (ARC-CO) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2025 crop year.
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) uses these final MYA prices to calculate revenue benchmarks and payment rates, payments will be issued shortly after October 1st. The payment will be paid on 85% of base acres not planted acres. For example if you planted 600 acres of corn you probably have about 500 base acres applied to corn. If the payment rate is set at $50, you will be paid 500 base acres X 85% X $50 or $21,250 for your 2025 corn crop.
We don't have your base acres but we can help you determine what your 2025 payment will be once the MYA prices are set.
The deadline to sign up or make program elections for the 2026 Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) programs is December 11, 2026.
Producers can complete elections and enroll online via the USDA ARC/PLC Webpage using a Login.gov account, or by scheduling an appointment at FSA.
If a 2026 election change is not submitted by December 11, 2026, the election defaults to the farm's 2025 choice, but a signed contract must still be completed to remain eligible for program payments.
Let us know if you would like our help comparing Agricultural Risk Coverage County (ARC-CO) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2026 crop year.

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09/17/2026

Old news but what does this say about what will be on our store shelves soon?

09/13/2026

Diesel hit $6 a gallon this week. First time ever. Oil's over $105 a barrel. Saudi Aramco's own CEO says it costs them about $2 to pull a barrel out of the ground. Their all-in number is around $3.50. That's a nickel a gallon of crude, selling for $2.50 a gallon before it ever sees a refinery.
Now look at this mama cow.
A bred heifer costs $3,500 to $4,000 right now. Raise her yourself and the University of Florida says you've got closer to $4,500 in her. Then it costs $1,000 to $1,500 a year to keep her, per USDA and Kansas State. What does she pay back? USDA and the Livestock Marketing Information Center have tracked it since the '70s. Best year on record (2014): about $535 a cow. 2016: lost $21. 2018: made $15. 2019: lost $200 a head. The last couple years have been good ones, around $440 a cow.
Do the math on a $3,500 cow. Best year of a generation, 13%. Normal year, 2%. Bad year, you lose money. And that's before the rancher pays himself a nickel.
One business makes 30 times its cost. The other feeds, doctors, and waits three years to maybe make 2%.
Every pound of beef on your table came from somebody who did it anyways while hoping and praying things turn around.
— Mitchell Family Farms

09/12/2026

Harvest has started. Silage and HMC is being cut. It won’t be long and harvest will be in full swing.

08/27/2026