Connealy Insurance Newsletter|February 1, 2025 |

Serving Nebraska, Iowa & South Dakota farmers, ranchers, homeowners, commercial, business & auto lines & their families since 1986.

Crop Insurance Update

Rates:

MPCI rates change with the price each spring. With the spring price projected to be lower than the 2024 spring price of $4.66 for corn and $11.55 for soybeans, we anticipate the MPCI rates to be slightly less however, do not know for certain yet.


Hail/Wind rates:

There have been a lot of changes within NE this past year. So far, NAU and RCIS are making drastic changes to their wind/hail product offerings. Each are going to a 10% deductible for their wind products and reducing their production hail offerings. RCIS is removing their 115 and 120 production plan offerings. Rain and Hail and Great American are both offering their basic and comp 2+ wind this year.

-Call or email Bonnie, Kiley or Tami for all rates.


Quotes

If you know what your crop rotation is going to be, you can let us know at the office. We can then get your quotes ready for you to go over whenever you have time. While the spring price will not be set until the beginning of March, we will only be able to give a current price estimate.


Optional Top Half Products:

Optional unit top half coverage is available to lock in a price today for the upcoming growing season.

These plans are based upon a number of available policies in the coverage area. Some examples of these policies are:

Rev D, GAP, MPower D, APO, and RPO

If you would like to learn more or have questions, please reach out.


Mobile Apps for Growers:

If you would like access to your crop documents online, apps are available. Each company has a grower app that you can download onto your phone. Let us know if you would like to get set up.


Livestock Risk Protection:

Pricing has continued to stay high in the cattle market this past month.

Prices 1/30/25:

Feeder cattle wt class 1- ended at $298.13

Feeder cattle wt class 2- ended at $271.03

Heifers wt class 1- $271.03

Heifers wt class 2- $243.93

Unborn steers and heifers- $284.58


FSA Updates:

Economic Aid for producers for the 2024 crop year should be expecting payments on or before 3/21/25.


Disaster Aid payments

- These will be for the 2023 and 2024 crop year and similar to the ERP payments received in 2020 and 2022. They have not announced anything further that we have heard at this time.


Below is an informational tool to help with ARC vs PLC. Another thing to consider when making your decision is if you are going to elect ECO and/or SCO this year. You cannot elect ARC if you are electing ECO at FSA.

The 2025 Farm Bill What-If Tool - farmdoc daily


How to navigate the latest federal farm relief package


FSA is working to increase replant payments for the 2026 crop year.

There has been a lot of talk about what is going to happen with the new Farm Bill, etc. With all of the recent changes in the white house, a lot is uncertain at this time.

Home, Auto, Commercial Updates

P & C Update:


Auto

With winter upon us, this is a reminder that snowmobiles can be added to your auto policy or a stand-alone policy.


Home

Cold weather means snow, ice, and frozen pipes. Something to keep an eye on once temperatures reach the freezing point is your exposed pipes and water lines. As freezing water expands into ice, the pressure can compromise the integrity of the pipe and pipe fittings, which often leads to cracked or burst pipes resulting in costly property damage. Here are some tips:

-Identify areas of concern

Keep exposed pipes warm by wrapping them with UL-endorsed heat tapes.

-Insulate exposed water pipes from cold moving air using foam rubber insulation designed for pipes.

-When there is a loss of power on cold days, open the tap to allow the water to run at a slow and constant drip.

-Fill any drafty gaps or cracks near water pipes with caulk to prevent cold air from coming inside.

-Do not turn off the heat or open windows during cold days, maintain a room temperature of 55 degrees or higher.


Farm/Business:

Winter brings colder temps, here are some energy-conservation tips:

-Lower your temperature setting by a few degrees, close curtains to keep warm air inside.

-Turn down your hot water heater to 120 degrees and ensure the water heater is insulated properly.

-Adjust your humidity

-Make sure your fireplace damper closes tightly when your not using it.

-If you plan on cooking multiple dishes, bake as many as you can at the same time.

-Skip the drying cycle on your dishwasher. Instead, prop the door open once dishes are done to dry.

Don't Be Insurance Poor


Joke(s) of the Month


What do you tell a pig on February 14th?

  • Happy Valen-Swine's Day!


All a woman wants on Valentines Day is a card...Visa or Mastercard, it really doesn't matter.


Can February March?

  • No but April May


Why should you eat pork sausage on February 2nd?

  • Because its ground hog day!


Sometimes February has 29 days. How many other months have 29 days?

  • All of them


Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Ingredients

1 to 1.5# hamburger

1 C Milk

3/4 C Oatmeal

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

3 tsp onion, diced

Sauce:

3 TBS brown sugar

3 TBS vinegar

1/2 C Water

1 C Ketchup


Mix hamburger mixture together and form into balls; place in a baking dish.

Mix together sauce ingredients and pour over top meatballs in the pan. Bake at 350* for 1 hour.

Office News


Emily was out of the office on a cruise and was able to hold some sloths and spider monkeys. She is already counting down the days until her next cruise, she better keep working!


This last month has been busy with getting all of the rates and new manuals in for the 2025 crop year. We are finalizing claims and closing out the 2024 crop year as well. Emily has been keeping busy on the P&C side and working hard on farm and pivot policies. We are here if you ever have any questions or need anything.


We are so grateful for all of our customers, staff and community members who support our business. Thank you for your support!

Community Events

  • February 2nd- Logan Valley Market Sips and Savor- Lyons. 2 p.m.
  • February 11th- Burt County Spelling Contest- LDNE Gym 9 a.m.
  • February 14th- Valentines Day- don't forget your loved ones
  • February 17th- Tekamah Chamber After Hours- Chatt Financial- 5:30-7 p.m.
  • February 19th- Oakland Heights Assisted Living Facility- monthly coffee 10:00 a.m.
  • February 20-23rd- Tekamah Musical at the auditorium- This is based off of the Tekamah school calendar, check with the school for time and exact dates.
  • February 22- Daddy daughter Dance, Tekamah-Herman School






HOME

CROP

FARM & RANCH

COMMERCIAL

AUTO

Facebook  Twitter