Protecting your Perennial Crop Guarantee: Navigating increased restrictions in 2026

After perennial growers submit their 2025 crop year production and acreage changes, many assume crop insurance is set until a weather event occurs. However, as records are processed, a unit may be flagged by the Risk Management Agency (RMA) as having a yield variance. If left unaddressed, these flags can affect a unit’s production guarantee at claim time.

Using crop load management to maintain yield stability

Apples are naturally on a two-year yield cycle, but modern orchard systems and management practices allow growers to achieve consistent yields year after year. Through intentional crop load management — such as early chemical thinning, follow-up hand thinning and, for more challenging varieties, the use of return bloom sprays — producers actively limit excessive swings between heavy and light crop years. When done correctly, this approach stabilizes production history in years without weather-related losses.

Historically, when a unit was flagged as having a yield variance, an agent could submit a request demonstrating that lower yields were caused by documented weather events rather than unmanaged production. Even in years when a claim was not paid, supporting documentation, such as weather records, could help preserve a grower’s production history.

Increased restrictions in 2026

Beginning with the 2026 crop year, this process has become more restrictive. Under the updated guidance, for weather-related losses in low yield years to be considered, an indemnity must have been paid in at least one of those low production years. Without a paid claim tied directly to the weather event, documentation alone may no longer be sufficient to prevent a downward yield adjustment.

This change makes early communication and accurate reporting more important than ever. Discussing potential losses as they occur, filing timely claims when appropriate and maintaining complete production records can help protect long-term yield history and avoid preventable reductions.

Next steps: You’ve received a yield adjustment determination

If you receive a letter from your insurance provider regarding yield adjustment determinations, your Crop Growers agent will be in contact with you to review the notice and discuss the best course of action. These situations are not uncommon, and early coordination helps ensure records are handled correctly.

Consistent yields come from management, but protecting yield history now also depends on documented, paid losses when weather intervenes.

Have questions? Contact your Crop Growers crop insurance agent.

Contact Crop Growers