Farm Property vs. Crop Coverage in Dairy Farm Insurance Explained
- Nate Jones, CPCU, ARM, CLCS, AU
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Dairy farms rely on far more than their milking herd. Barns, feed storage, milking parlours, equipment, silage, and forages all play critical roles in production. Yet many dairy owners misunderstand the difference between farm property coverage and crop/forage coverage within a dairy farm insurance policy. These two coverages protect different assets, and failing to distinguish them can lead to major gaps at claim time. If you’re preparing for a cattle farm insurance quote, here’s a clear breakdown of how each coverage works.
1) What Farm Property Coverage Protects
Farm Property coverage insures the physical structures and equipment essential to dairy operations. This includes:
Milking parlours and free-stalls
Barns, calf barns, and loafing sheds
Silage bunkers and feed storage
Machinery sheds and workshops
Fences, pens, chutes, gates
Mechanical systems (as covered per policy)
This coverage protects against common perils such as:
Fire
Wind and hail
Explosion
Vandalism
Theft
Certain weather‑related losses
Farm Property coverage is the backbone of most dairy farm insurance policies because a single structural loss can halt production for months.
2) What Crop Coverage Protects (and What It Doesn’t)
Crop coverage, especially forage, hay, and silage protection, is treated separately from property coverage.
Crop coverage can include protection for:
Hay
Row crops
Silage or feed impacted by weather (when endorsed)
Crop insurance is typically provided through specialised programs and may cover:
Drought
Excess rain
Freeze
Hail
Yield shortfalls
Forage production losses
However, it does not automatically cover:
Spoilage due to poor fermentation
Contamination
Mechanical breakdown of feed systems
These require additional endorsements or equipment breakdown coverage.
3) Why Dairy Farms Often Need Both
Dairy farms rely heavily on stored feed and forage. Proper feeding depends on:
High‑quality silage
Consistent forage availability
Reliable feed systems
Healthy pastures
A loss to barns or feed equipment (property coverage) is very different from a loss of forage due to weather (crop coverage). Most dairies need both to stay financially secure.
4) How This Impacts Your Dairy Insurance Cost
Your insurance cost for a cattle farm changes based on:
Replacement cost of barns and equipment
Acres and type of forage grown
Weather exposures (drought, hail, wind)
Herd size and feeding method
Claims history
The more accurate your property values and forage details are, the better your pricing and protection.
Get the Right Coverage for Your Dairy Operation
Not every insurer understands the difference between farm property, crop exposure, forage needs, and dairy‑specific equipment risks. Wexford Insurance partners with top‑rated carriers that specialise in dairy and cattle farm insurance, helping owners choose the right limits, deductibles, and policy structure for both property and crop protection.
👉 Request your Dairy Farm Insurance quote from Wexford Insurance today and ensure your herd, forage, and facilities are fully protected.
