Crop Insurance Planting Dates - Iowa

Spring planting is quickly approaching indicating that crop insurance decisions need to be made soon to ensure optimal coverage and risk management . The earliest planting date for corn in Iowa is April 10^th, which applies statewide. The earliest planting date for soybeans in Iowa is April 10^th for southern counties and April 15^th for the rest of the state. Note that crops planted before the specified date will not be eligible for replanting payments.

The sales closing date, the last day to apply for coverage for any Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) policies or make changes and cancel policies held the previous year, is March 15^th.  A comprehensive table of upcoming important crop insurance dates is at the end of this article.

Figure 1: Iowa Map of Soybean Planting Dates; Source: Iowa State University Ag Decision Maker

The final planting date for Iowa corn is May 31^st and June 15^th for soybeans. Acres planted on or before these specified dates receive the selected full yield or revenue guarantee. Acres planted after this date receive a reduced guarantee and should, within three days, be reported to your agent. Corn that needs to be replanted may be replanted through June 10^th, ten days past the final planting date. Soybeans that need to be replanted may be replanted through June 25^th, ten days past the final planting date. It is advised to check with your provider before replanting.

The late planting period for corn begins June 1^st and extends for 25 days until June 25^th; however, the revenue or yield guarantee for corn planted during this period is reduced by 1% each day of delay beyond May 31^st (the final planting date) and declines to 55% for any corn planted after June 25^th. The late planting period for soybeans begins June 15^th (final planting date) and extends for 25 days until July 10th; however, the yield or revenue guarantee for soybeans planted during this period is reduced by 1% each day of delay beginning on the final planting date and declines to 60% of the original guarantee for soybeans after July 10th.

This also applies to those who were prevented from planting their crops so long as the substitute crop was not planted for harvest. Prevented planting coverage does not apply to Area Risk Protection Insurance (ARPI) or Catastrophic level coverage (CAT) policies.

Policyholders must report their acreage by July 15^th, this applies for both corn and soybeans. Producers must report the number of acres of each insured crop that they have planted by this date or within three days when they abandon plans to plant.

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

Table 1: Important Crop Insurance Dates; Source: Iowa State University Ag Decision Maker

Note: If the date listed falls on a weekend or holiday, the actual date may be the first business day following the listed date.

Source: Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Ag Decision Maker