ACA, LLC

07/14/2026

Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 15, is a major crop acreage reporting deadline for most crops.

Accurate and timely reporting helps protect eligibility for crop insurance, disaster assistance, safety-net programs, and other USDA benefits. Reports should include all planted, failed, and prevented-planted acreage.

Deadlines vary by crop and location, so producers should confirm the requirements that apply to their operation with their local FSA office and crop insurance agent.

Today and tomorrow are the last days for many producers to complete acreage reporting and help protect their USDA program eligibility and benefits.

Learn more here: https://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/crop-acreage-reports

07/13/2026

Illinois is seeing significant crop claim activity after storms brought large hail, winds near 88 mph and repeated heavy rainfall.

AgWeb reports approximately 150 hail claims in northern Illinois and more than 1,500 in southern Illinois. Some corn acres may be beyond recovery, while other fields are dealing with excess moisture, drowned-out areas, delayed applications and increasing w**d pressure.

For claims professionals, the damage may not be limited to one event or one cause of loss. A single field could include total-loss acres, partially damaged areas and productive acreage that still requires continued care.

That makes ongoing documentation especially important. Storm dates, field conditions, crop development, delayed applications and any additional damage may all help establish how the loss developed throughout the season.

The claim totals show the level of activity, but they do not yet tell us how many acres or bushels will ultimately be lost. That final production loss will determine whether the damage has a broader effect on commodity prices.

Any impact on claim settlement pricing will also depend on the coverage involved. A change in the market does not affect every crop policy in the same way.

Our latest ACA article takes a closer look at the Illinois damage, the developing claims concerns and what it could mean for commodity and settlement pricing.

Read more: https://www.agclaimsassociation.com/News/News-Archive/severe-illinois-storms-drive-crop-claims-and-yield-concerns

07/10/2026

An Illinois farming family is sharing the story of a fatal grain bin entrapment in hopes it will encourage others to take extra precautions before entering a bin.

Tom Ritter, 73, was preparing for his 51st harvest when a shelf of corn collapsed while he was working inside a grain bin. His son, Cory, has since shared the story to encourage other farmers to slow down, ask for help, and avoid entering bins alone.

Grain-related entrapments increased by 25% in 2024, and the five-year fatality average remains close to 50%.

Whenever possible, grain-flow and equipment problems should be handled from outside the bin. Equipment should be shut down and disconnected before entry, and no one should ever enter alone.

Read the full article:
https://www.agclaimsassociation.com/News/News-Archive/illinois-family-shares-grain-bin-tragedy-to-encourage-safer-practices

07/08/2026

Chemical exposure and contamination concerns continue to be an important topic in agriculture.

A recent Civil Eats article highlights new EPA pesticide approvals, ongoing PFAS-related concerns, and questions surrounding biosolids used as fertilizer. The article also notes that as more w**ds become resistant to glyphosate, new herbicide options are being approved and reviewed.

For ag insurance and claims professionals, these conversations matter because chemical-related claims can come with added complexity. Product labels, application records, field history, weather conditions, testing, photos, timing, and documentation can all play an important role when chemical exposure, crop damage, or contamination is alleged.

As pesticide use, resistance concerns, and contamination questions continue to evolve, staying informed helps claims professionals better understand the issues that may come up in the field.

Read more here: https://civileats.com/2026/07/08/epas-pesticide-approvals-prompt-fears-of-pfas-contamination-on-farms/

The agency’s actions come amid anger over a Supreme Court decision in a glyphosate case and an executive order over regenerative agriculture.

07/07/2026

After a catastrophic late-April freeze impacted apple growers across several states, USDA’s Risk Management Agency has announced additional emergency flexibility to help streamline crop insurance claims.

The updated procedures apply to apple growers in Maryland, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, and are intended to help producers with partial losses make practical harvest and marketing decisions for damaged but salvageable fruit.

On a case-by-case basis, Approved Insurance Providers may now be able to finalize claims before the final disposition of the crop. For growers, this may help them move forward with decisions about whether fruit is best used for the fresh market, processing market, or a combination of both.

For crop insurance and claims professionals, this is a strong reminder of how important timely communication, accurate appraisals, production records, and clear documentation can be after a major weather event.

Producers impacted by the freeze should contact their crop insurance agent for guidance specific to their operation.

Read the full USDA RMA release:
https://www.rma.usda.gov/news-events/news/2026/washington-dc/usda-authorizes-flexibility-streamlines-crop-insurance-apple

(Washington, D.C., July 6, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking action to provide additional emergency relief for apple growers in Maryland, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia recovering from a catastrophic late-April freeze. USDA’s Risk Managemen...

07/06/2026

Agriculture never stands still. Equipment evolves. Technology advances. Regulations change. Farming practices adapt. Every season brings new challenges and new lessons.

As the industry changes, agricultural claims continue to evolve right alongside it.

That's why ongoing education matters. Understanding a policy is only part of the job. Staying informed about the operations, equipment, and risks behind each claim helps professionals make more informed decisions.

The ACA is here to support agricultural insurance and claims professionals through industry-specific education, practical resources, and a community of experienced professionals committed to learning and growing together.

https://www.agclaimsassociation.com/

© 2026 by Agricultural Claims Association The Agricultural Claims Association reserves the right to refuse membership at our discretion.

07/04/2026

Celebrating America!

07/03/2026

Happy Fourth of July from the Agricultural Claims Association!

As we celebrate Independence Day, we're grateful for the farmers, ranchers, agricultural businesses, insurance professionals, adjusters, and industry partners whose work helps keep America's agricultural communities strong.

Whether you're spending the day with family, traveling, or enjoying time outdoors, we hope you have a safe and relaxing holiday weekend.

Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸

07/02/2026

The next generation of agriculture is stepping into a very different industry, where family tradition now works alongside technology, automation, precision equipment, and major financial investment.

A recent InvestigateTV report highlighted two young Nebraska brothers, sixth-generation farmers, using modern tools to help carry their family operation forward. The story also points to a larger issue in agriculture: farmers remain one of America’s oldest workforces, and the next generation will play an important role in keeping production moving.

For ag insurance and claims professionals, this shift is important to follow. Modern farm operations may bring more questions around equipment value, precision planting and spraying records, chemical application, operator decisions, documentation, liability, downtime, and loss review.

Agriculture is changing quickly, and understanding those changes helps us better serve the operations behind each claim.

Read the full ACA article here:
https://www.agclaimsassociation.com/News

07/01/2026

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and businesses in Richmond, Madison County, and across Kentucky who are grieving the loss of loved ones and dealing with property damage, flooding, and recovery in the days ahead.

John Dotson , an ACA partner local to the area, shared that his team is ready to assist clients and insureds with claims handling needs during this difficult time.

For support through John’s team, claims inquiries can be sent to [email protected].

The ACA is also here to help with claims assistance, resources, or connecting you with the right support. Please reach out to [email protected].

We are grateful for the people in this industry who step in to serve their communities when it matters most.