Crop Insurance Planting Dates - Iowa

Earliest Allowed Planting Dates

Planting time is nearly here in Iowa. The earliest allowed date for corn planting in Iowa is April 10^th. This applies statewide.  

The earliest planting date for soybeans in Iowa is also April 10^th in southern Iowa counties (most southern three tiers of counties) and April 15^th for the rest of Iowa.

Crops planted before the specified earliest planting date will not be eligible for replanting payments. Figure 1 shows adjusted 2024 ‘earliest planting dates’ in Iowa for soybeans.

Figure 1. Earliest Planting Dates for Soybeans in Iowa

Final Planting Dates

The final planting date for Iowa corn with full coverage is May 31^st. Acres planted on or before this date receive the full yield or revenue guarantee that was selected. Acres planted after this date receive a reduced guarantee. Acres not yet planted as of this date should be reported to the insurance agent within three days. A crop that needs to be replanted can be replanted through June 10^th, which is 10 days past the final planting date. Check with your insurance provider to determine if replanting is practical or warranted before replanting a damaged crop.

The final planting date for soybeans is June 15^th. Acres planted on or before this date receive the fully yield or revenue guarantee that was selected. Acres planted after this date received reduced guaranteed coverage. Replanting of soybeans can take place through June 25^th, but farmers are advised to check with their insurance provider before replanting a damaged field.

Late Planting Period

There is a late planting period for corn that extends from June 1^st to June 25^th. The yield or revenue guarantee for corn planted during the late planting period is reduced by 1% for each day planting is delayed beyond May 31^st and then drops to 55% for any corn planted after June 25^th.

For soybeans, the late planting period is June 15^th to July 10^th. The yield or revenue guarantee for soybeans planted during the late planting period is reduced by 1% for each day planting is delayed beyond June 15^th and then drops to 60% for soybeans planted after July 10^th.

After the late planting period ends, coverage remains at 55% of the original guarantee for corn and 60% of the original guarantee for soybeans. This is true even if the producer is prevented from planting the crop, as long as a substitute crop is not planted for harvest. Prevented planting coverage does not apply to Area Risk Protection Insurance (ARPI) or catastrophic level coverage (CAT) policies.

Acreage Reporting and Premium Billing Date

The acreage reporting date for corn and soybeans in Iowa is July 15^th. Producers must report the number of acres of each insured crop that they have actually planted by this date, or within three days of when they abandon their intentions to plant it. For crops planted after the final planting date, the number of acres planted on each day must be reported. All acres of an insurable crop in which they have an interest must be reported, whether the acres are actually insured or not. Other information to report includes the producer’s share in the crop, cropping practice and type where applicable, the planting dates (if after the final planting date), and any acres that they were unable to plant.

Although premiums are payable as soon as the crop is planted, the policyholder will not be billed until the premium billing date which in Iowa is August 15^th. Interest charges begin to accrue 30 days after this date on any premium payments not yet paid, at the rate of 1.25% per month. If an indemnity payment or replanting payment is made, any premiums still owed will be deducted from these payments.

Economic analysis provided by David Miller, Consulting Chief Economist, Decision Innovation Solutions on behalf of Iowa Farm Bureau.