As producers start thinking about the 2027 crop year, there is another crop insurance conversation worth having: MCO or ECO?
With commodity prices and input costs continuing to influence farm margins, some producers are taking another look at the coverage options available to them. The Margin Coverage Option, or MCO, is not new, but it may be worth revisiting as part of your 2027 risk management strategy.
MCO or ECO: Understanding the Difference
MCO and the Enhanced Coverage Option, or ECO, both provide additional area-based protection above an underlying crop insurance policy. However, they approach that protection differently.
ECO is designed around area revenue. MCO takes a broader approach by looking at operating margin, including commodity prices, county yields, and certain input costs.
That difference matters.
For producers thinking about how to manage the risks that could affect their bottom line, MCO may offer another option worth considering. But that does not mean it is automatically the right choice for every operation.
For the 2027 crop year, MCO and ECO cannot be combined, so producers considering MCO will need to evaluate how it compares with the coverage they already have and what risks they want to address.
Start With Your Operation
At AgQuest, we know that no two farming operations are exactly alike. Your crop mix, existing coverage, risk tolerance, and overall approach to managing risk all play a role in deciding what makes sense.
That's why we believe the best place to start is with a conversation.
Your AgQuest Crop Insurance team can help you understand how MCO works, compare it with ECO, and look at how either option fits with your existing crop insurance coverage.
MCO also must be attached to an eligible underlying crop insurance policy through the same Approved Insurance Provider, making it important to review your options before making a decision.
The goal is not to choose an option simply because it is getting more attention. It is to understand what the coverage does, what risks it addresses, and whether it fits your operation.
Don't Wait Until the Deadline
For the 2027 crop year, the MCO sales closing date for corn, cotton, grain sorghum, soybeans, and spring wheat is September 30, 2026. Availability varies by crop, state, and county.
If you're asking MCO or ECO?, now is the time to have that conversation with your AgQuest Crop Insurance team.
We are here to help you understand your options and make a decision that fits your operation.
AgQuest Insurance is an Equal Opportunity Provider.