Iowa Launches Crop Insurance Discounts for Cover Crop Farmers

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) has opened enrollment for its Crop Insurance Discount Program, allowing farmers who planted cover crops in the fall to apply for a $5 per acre reduction in their 2026 crop insurance premiums. The application period runs from December 1 to January 23, 2026. This program aims to support both farm economic viability and environmental stewardship by promoting cover crop use without restricting eligible acreage, provided it is not enrolled in other cost-share programs or certain insurance types like Whole-Farm Revenue Protection.