US farmers lose a key insurance payout for crops they can't plant

The US government is changing its crop insurance rules. Farmers will no longer get insurance payouts for crops they were prevented from planting, if they had 'buy-up' coverage.

For years, farmers could buy extra insurance that paid out if they couldn't plant their crops due to bad weather or other issues. This rule change removes that specific safety net. It means farmers will bear more of the risk themselves when planting conditions are poor.