Dairy producers now have new tools to manage price risk, thanks to major updates to the USDA’s Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) program starting with the 2026 crop year.
Beginning July 1, 2025, beef-on-dairy crossbred calves and cull dairy cows can be insured under LRP, helping protect the value of two important revenue streams in today’s diversified dairy operations. These updates mark a significant shift in how dairy operations can manage cattle price risk, providing timely protection in volatile markets and helping producers capture more value from crossbreeding and culling strategies.
What’s New?
- Beef Cross Calves Now Insurable (Feeder Cattle Endorsement): Unborn calves from dairy cows bred to beef bulls — including Angus, Simmental, Charolais, Wagyu, and others — can now be covered under LRP. Calves must be expected to weigh 0.6–0.99 cwt and be sold within two weeks of birth.
- Cull Cows Now Covered (Fed Cattle Endorsement): Cows leaving the milking herd for slaughter — expected to grade USDA Standard or lower — are now eligible under the new cull cow coverage with a 13-week insurance period. This is a valuable option when timing herd reductions or navigating volatile cull prices.
Why This Matters for Dairy Producers
As beef-on-dairy strategies become the norm and producers use strategic culling to manage herd efficiency, the ability to stabilize revenue and protect margins during downturns in the cattle market becomes essential. LRP now aligns more closely with the realities of modern dairy production, helping producers adapt to market conditions while planning confidently for the future.
Why Work with HighGround?
HighGround is more than a licensed insurance provider — we are advisors rooted in the dairy industry. With deep expertise across both cattle and dairy markets, we help producers align tools like LRP with the rest of their business strategy.
Whether you’re expanding your beef-on-dairy program or trying to get more strategic about when you sell cull cows, we deliver insights that go beyond the policy. From policy setup to claims support, we’re proactive, responsive, and focused on protecting your bottom line.
Let’s build a plan that supports your herd and your future. Contact us today to get started.
