By Andi Anderson
The Policy Design Lab at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign continues to improve understanding of agricultural policies through interactive digital tools. Launched in 2022, the project combines research, publicly available data, and advanced technology to help users explore the effects of farm policies and analyze agricultural trends.
One of the latest updates focuses on crop insurance. The enhanced visualization system allows users to view information at the county level and explore data for major crops, including corn, cotton, sorghum, peanuts, rice, soybeans, and wheat. Users can also examine information from 2014 through 2024 and compare different years or commodities.
The crop insurance platform includes data on loss ratios, liabilities, policies, premiums, premium subsidies, indemnities, and net farmer benefits. Information is sourced from the USDA Risk Management Agency and presented through interactive maps and downloadable tables.
These features make it easier for farmers, researchers, and policymakers to study crop insurance performance and understand the financial impact of the program.
The updated tool highlights significant differences among counties across the United States. For example, Gaines County, Texas, recorded some of the highest net farmer benefits from crop insurance, while Iroquois County, Illinois, showed negative net benefits during the same period. These differences are linked to variations in crop types, indemnity payments, subsidies, and loss experiences.
Data from recent years indicate that Gaines County received substantial indemnity payments, particularly for cotton and peanuts, resulting in strong net benefits for producers.
In contrast, Iroquois County received lower indemnities, and despite premium subsidies supporting corn and soybean production, overall net benefits remained negative.
In addition to crop insurance updates, the Policy Design Lab has introduced a new soybean storyboard. Soybeans are one of the most important crops in the United States and are typically grown in rotation with corn. American farmers plant nearly 85 million acres of soybeans annually, making the crop a vital part of the agricultural economy.
Despite its importance, soybean support under federal farm programs has historically been lower than that of many other commodities. Soybeans generally receive fewer direct program payments and experience relatively lower crop insurance losses. However, changing market conditions, trade disputes, and geopolitical developments have increased attention on the crop in recent years.
The soybean storyboard is designed to provide an interactive learning experience that helps users better understand the challenges and opportunities facing soybean producers. The project combines information from the USDA and the United Soybean Board’s Marketview Database to present important data in an accessible format.
Researchers also plan to use the platform to evaluate future policy alternatives and innovative farm support strategies. Supported in part by the Illinois Soybean Association, the initiative aims to improve understanding of agricultural policy design and its effects on farmers.
Through its updated crop insurance tools and soybean storyboard, the Policy Design Lab offers valuable resources that can support informed decision-making and encourage greater understanding of the policies shaping modern agriculture.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: Illinois, Crops, Soybeans