In the latest episode of Keep America Growing, NCIS President Tom Zacharias sits down with University of Illinois Professor Gary Schnitkey to discuss the economic realities facing farmers heading into the growing season.

Building on a recent conversation with an Illinois crop insurance agent, this episode takes a broader look at the farm economy, where tightening margins, rising production costs, and ongoing volatility are shaping farmer decision-making. Dr. Schnitkey offers insights into how producers are approaching risk management, including increased use of supplemental products like ECO and SCO, and what differences are emerging across crops and regions.

The discussion also examines how closely crop insurance aligns with actual production costs and highlights key updates from the One Big Beautiful Bill that farmers should be watching closely.

The takeaway is clear: in today’s environment, risk management is not optional, and crop insurance remains the cornerstone of a farmer’s financial protection.

Listen to the full episode, and previous conversations, here.