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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11SCO and ECO are county-level crop insurance options that supplement a base policy; they do not guarantee payment whenever an individual farm has a loss. In the University of Illinois farmdoc daily’s February 24, 2026 analysis, the authors describe ECO-95% as their first option to consider, but their return estimates are Illinois examples—not a quote or forecast for a particular farm. The key questions are how county triggers work, how the options differ, and how much basis risk you can accept.
What are SCO and ECO?
Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) and Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) are county-level crop insurance options layered over an underlying COMBO policy. In the farmdoc analysis’s example with Revenue Protection, SCO’s guarantee is based on 86% of expected county revenue. ECO uses a 90% or 95% coverage level. The actual operation depends on the underlying policy and contract terms.
Because the trigger is tied to county performance, a farm can have a loss without receiving an SCO or ECO payment if the relevant county loss threshold is not reached. Conversely, a county-level loss can trigger coverage even if a particular farm’s own outcome differs. That mismatch between county performance and farm experience is basis risk.
How do the coverage levels differ?
| Option | Coverage level described with Revenue Protection | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| SCO | Guarantee based on 86% of expected county revenue | It is layered over a base policy; contract details affect how it works. |
| ECO-90% | 90% | County-level option with a lower attachment point than ECO-95%. |
| ECO-95% | 95% | Higher attachment point; the farmdoc authors say it can trigger in more situations. |
These levels describe the article’s Revenue Protection context, not a complete description of every policy configuration. Compare the actual underlying policy and coverage level when reviewing options.
#1 Best Overall
Do county expected yields that lag actual yields matter?
They can. Expected county yields help set guarantees, so a lower expected yield relative to actual yield potential can reduce how often a county-level payment is triggered and the amount paid. The authors report a historical lag in most Illinois counties and across the Midwest since SCO’s introduction in 2015. That finding does not mean every county, crop, or year has the same relationship.
For an individual decision, consider the expected county yield for the crop and county alongside your farm’s APH and yield history. County performance can diverge from farm results, so a high farm yield potential does not remove basis risk.
Why do the authors prefer ECO-95% in their comparison?
Their general ordering is to consider ECO-95% first, then ECO-90%, and consider SCO if additional coverage is desired. They point to ECO-95%’s higher attachment point, which can trigger in more situations, and to the effect of the 2026 subsidy on expected return relative to farmer-paid premium in their analysis. This is a source-specific analytical recommendation, not individual insurance advice.
In the University of Illinois farmdoc daily’s 2026 Illinois example, the assumed subsidy is 80%. The modeled expected returns per $1 of farmer-paid premium are $1.22 for ECO-95%, $1.14 for ECO-90%, and $1.02 for the SCO configuration described in the analysis. These estimates are not guaranteed payments or universal values; the article also notes ECO-95% may make no payment in about half of years in its example. Actual premiums and outcomes depend on the crop, county, underlying policy, farm history, and risk preferences.
Rank #3
Does a higher farm APH prevent a payment?
No, not by itself, according to the article’s explanation. If coverage is triggered, county loss and payment rates are the same for covered farms in that county. Individual APH affects the dollar amounts of the premium and indemnity, rather than whether the county trigger occurs.
The authors’ example says a farm with APH 10% above the county expected yield would have a 10% higher premium and indemnity if paid. This is an explanation of the product context in their article; confirm applicable terms for the specific policy you are considering.
Rank #4
What should you compare before choosing?
- Coverage level: Compare ECO-90%, ECO-95%, and the SCO option available with your policy.
- Underlying policy: Check the base policy and coverage level; SCO and ECO are supplemental layers, not standalone guarantees.
- Crop and county: County triggers and expected yields are specific to the relevant crop and county.
- County yield versus farm history: Consider how the county expected yield relates to your farm’s APH and actual yield history, and whether county results may diverge from your own.
- Cost and modeled outcomes: Compare the premium you would pay after subsidy with payment patterns relevant to your crop and county. The Illinois estimates above should not be treated as your quote or expected payout.
- Risk tolerance: Decide how much county-to-farm basis risk is acceptable for your operation.
The farmdoc Insurance Evaluator accounts for observed 2015–2025 county relationships between RMA expected yields and actual yields, according to the University of Illinois authors. For a farm-specific comparison, use a current crop- and county-specific quote and applicable policy materials, or talk with a crop insurance agent.
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