C r o p I n s u r a n c e today VisitWebsite ag-risk.org 2021 Year in Review By NCIS Staff Introduction This article reports on the 2021 crop insurance season, highlighting the significant events that affected the crop insurance industry. We begin with a discussion of weather conditions and their impacts on crop production followed by a review of commodity markets and prices. Results for Federal crop insurance are then presented along with a discussion of changes to the program. The article concludes with discussion of Crop-Hail experience for the United States and Canada. Figure 1 Winter 2021 (Dec-Feb): Statewide Precipitation and Temperature Ranks, 1895-2021 Statewide Precipitation Ranks December 2020-February 2021 Period 1895-2021 85 23 59 41 29 35 20 19 25 40 66 32 52 82 32 68 51 70 48 36 23 59 42 53 National Centers for Environmental Information Thu Mar 4, 2021 72 61 51 31 23 70 118 114 93 21 3 14 24 20 69 56 80 100 116 109 115 92 94 83 67 52 67 29 45 30 43 50 59 44 61 74 88 National Centers for Environmental Information Thu Mar 4, 2021 42 62 80 92 81 96 94 91 82 105 72 103 112 108 96 104 59 46 58 74 70 79 76 70 92 102 100 100 94 110 Statewide Average Temperature Ranks December 2020-February 2021 Period 1895-2021 111 124 110 112 108 U.S. Weather and Production of Major Crops There were improvements in many areas of the agricultural economy in 2021, but weather and climate events continued to be a major cause of concern for U.S. farmers. However, farmers are secure in knowing that crop insurance is there to help those affected by adverse weather events and provide the foundation to support their recovery if need be. Increased program participation by farmers stands as continued evidence of the important role of crop insurance in the safety net for farmers facing an uncertain weather and climate future. The weather in 2021 continued to be variable with some areas plagued by regionally troublesome events over the course of the year. However, the experience in much of the Midwest was extremely favorable. The following season by season overview provides a review of how weather developed throughout the year and the general impacts it had on farming operations across the United States. Record Driest (1) Much Below Average Below Average Source: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/temp-and-precep/us-maps Near Average Above Average Much Above Average Record Wettest (126) Record Coldest (1) Much Below Average Below Average Near Average Above Average Much Above Average Record Warmest (126) CROPINSURANCE TODAY® 5http://ag-risk.org https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/temp-and-precep/us-maps