FMH InsureCast: Recent Episodes
Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance
FMH InsureCast brings you the latest from FMH and the industry to help navigate the expansive crop and farm insurance landscape. Topics include new products to leverage crop insurance within your risk management plan, and helpful tips from FMH staff and industry experts to stay informed on industry developments.
Hear from our in-house experts, plus special guest Jake Moline of Stone X, on the power of using forward marketing and crop insurance for maximum risk management. They give an update on current crop conditions and markets, plus discuss the upcoming decision farmers are making on Margin Protection.
To subscribe to Jake's newsletter, contact jake.moline@stonex.com
What do agents and farmers need to keep in mind as fall crop insurance deadlines approach? Hear about recent program updates from FMH trainer, Derek Watters. Plus, learn about the expansion of the Margin Protection program as Ryan Benes and Ken Ripley chat about what to consider with current conditions.
Recorded live at FMH's recent National Agent Summit, speaker Dr. Steve Johnson stops by the podcast to talk with host Ryan Benes and guest Ken Ripley about recent issues impacting farmers and recommendations on managing these issues with their risk management plans.
How does the recent election and legislation impact crop insurance? Find out in this special episode recorded live at FMH's National Agent Summit with crop insurance and legislative expert Tara Smith.
Growers with grazing land, hay, or pasture acres can benefit from better protection against dry conditions which can cause additional costs for feed, destocking, or depopulating of livestock. With these acres found across the country, Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) coverage continues to gain in popularity.
Attention listeners: This podcast includes content pertaining to suicide prevention which may evoke strong emotions for some listeners.
Scott Johnson, FMH Sales Manager, shares how while growing up in a farming community, he saw first-hand how the stress and struggles of the job impact farmers every day and how he decided to get involved to aid those around him who may be struggling mentally.
Josh Linville with Stone X shares insight into what is happening with fertilizer markets and what farmers should consider while making decisions before harvest. Ryan Benes and Ken Ripley discuss how Margin Protection could help protect against the volatility these input costs are experiencing.
To view the video version of this episode, visit FMH's YouTube channel or FMH.com Margin Protection page.
Cyber attacks can halt operations, create unnecessary costs, and be a headache to deal with. Farmers who depend on technology and large amounts of data to run their operations can be particularly vulnerable to these risks. Ryan Benes and Willie Jones from FMH welcome guest Ken Grothe from HSB to discuss how farmers can protect themselves from cyber attacks.
Ken Ripley interviews Tom Sell to help clarify areas of the program including:
- Application and certification process
- Who qualifies and how payments are calculated
- Role of the producer and crop insurance agent
- Clarifications on frequently asked questions
Wet weather and drought conditions have halted planting progress in some areas. FMH experts tackle what you need to know when prevented planting occurs including important coverage rules to be aware of, how payments are calculated, and more.
Now that planting is underway for spring crops, what should agents and producers keep in mind for crop insurance as acreage reporting approaches? Hear from FMH staff as they share planting progress updates, important reminders, and ways to streamline acreage reporting to reduce errors and hassles.
Get to know Shannon Rutledge, FMH's new President & CEO, as Ryan Benes interviews him about his background, vision for FMH's future, and his thoughts on how current events are impacting the industry.
In addition to crop insurance, FMH offers Farm and Ranch coverage across much of the Midwest, and in this special episode, we’re discussing Equipment Breakdown coverage. Jim Polish and Cayce McGinnis from our Reinsurance department chat with guest Jenn Strawn, from Mutual Boiler Re, on what Equipment Breakdown covers and how farmers and homeowners could benefit from it.
Decisions farmers make on their crop insurance coverage are among the most important decisions they make and can impact their entire year. Hear from Ryan Benes and Chock Hefner on how to approach crop insurance with the broader impacts to the farming operation in mind. They discuss considerations related to price, insurance products, and federal program changes that producers need to know.
Ryan Benes and Ken Ripley discuss the new P.A.C.E. (Post-Application Coverage Endorsement) which was recently made available to corn producers who utilize post-application nitrogen practices. Ryan and Ken cover what it is, who it is for, where it's available, and more.
ECO and SCO are becoming popular crop insurance options as producers need more coverage to help with higher costs. Listen as FMH's Ryan Benes, Ken Ripley, and Chock Hefner discuss these add-ons, plus new options for individual coverage, in the latest episode of our InsureCast podcast.
Hear from FMH's own experts about choosing between the FSA ARC and PLC programs, and how that election impacts eligibility for crop insurance options.
It's harvest season! What steps should policyholders take to ensure a smooth claims process in the event of a loss?
In this episode, host Ryan Benes, Strategic Account Manager, and guests Bruce Van Loenen and Chad Groen, Regional Claims Managers, will share everything policyholders need to know about how to streamline the claims process and get their claim paid quickly.
Topics include:
- How RP, YP, and RP-HPE policies work this year, with the harvest price higher than the spring price
- Important loss reporting dates and deadlines
- Preparing for an adjuster visit with traditional records vs. Precision records
- Tips to alleviate hold-ups and ensure the fastest claim payment
- Production reporting best practices when no loss occurs
(Updated Sept. 2021) Lack of rain doesn’t have to dry up profits for producers with pasture, forage, rangeland, or bee farms. Hear from FMH's Ryan Benes and Chock Hefner about Rainfall Index products, including PRF, Apiculture, and Annual Forage and how these products can protect your operation.
FMH's Ryan Benes, Ken Ripley, and guest Jake Stone from StoneX discuss Margin Protection, the crop insurance product that protects against fluctuating input costs and has a sales close date of Sept. 30. They discuss how it works and the market impacts and price trends to keep in mind when deciding to add it to a risk management plan.
Ryan Benes and Ken Ripley discuss six ways to leverage crop insurance for 2022 including new products like Margin Protection and ECO, how to use crop insurance as a marketing tool, and what to consider when purchasing your coverage.
Join host Ryan Benes and guests Erick Schminke and Jake Moline as they analyze the current market and the implications and opportunities through crop insurance. They discuss crop insurance coverage and grain marketing considerations.
Make sure you are set up for success this planting season to experience easier acreage reporting. Listen as FMH’s Ryan Benes discusses tips and best practices with Evan Harbert, FMH PTS, and special guest from one of our industry partners, Tonia Cantwell, Climate FieldView CAM.
In episode two of FMH InsureCast, strategic account managers Ryan Benes and Chock Hefner discuss price and product considerations farmers need to know when choosing 2021 crop insurance coverage.
The first FMH InsureCast episode features FMH's own Ryan Benes and Ken Ripley discussing the new Enhanced Coverage Option crop insurance product.