LRP Rates — Live USDA Premium Rates
LRP rates are the per-cwt premium percentages USDA publishes each evening for every commodity, class, region, endorsement length, and coverage level. They drive the gross premium on every Livestock Risk Protection endorsement. This page explains what those rates mean and how to read them — then jump to the live LRP Calculator to get today's actual rate for your herd.
How LRP Rates Are Set
The USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) publishes LRP rates each weeknight (Sunday through Thursday). Rates are derived from CME futures volatility — Feeder Cattle futures for feeder classes, Live Cattle futures for fed cattle — for the contract month closest to your endorsement end date. Higher futures volatility means a higher premium rate.
Rate vs. Coverage Price
- Coverage Price ($/cwt) — the price floor RMA guarantees for your endorsement. Set by the futures price × a Price Adjustment Factor for your class and region.
- Rate (%) — the percentage of total liability charged as gross premium. Varies by coverage level (70%–100%) and endorsement length (13–52 weeks).
- Cost per cwt ($/cwt) — Coverage Price × Rate. The gross premium per cwt before subsidy.
Federal Subsidy Schedule
USDA subsidizes a portion of every LRP premium. The subsidy rate depends on the coverage level you choose:
- 95.00–100.00% coverage → 35% subsidy
- 90.00–94.99% → 40% subsidy
- 85.00–89.99% → 45% subsidy
- 80.00–84.99% → 50% subsidy
- 70.00–79.99% → 55% subsidy
BFR producers add 10–15% on top of the base subsidy; VFR producers add 10%.
Reading an LRP Rate Sheet
RMA publishes one row per combination of class, region, endorsement length, and coverage level. Each row carries the coverage price, the rate, and the cost per cwt. The LRP Calculator reads the full sheet and pulls the row that matches your inputs, plus the matching subsidy from the schedule above.
Get Tonight's Live Rates
Rates change every business day. Use the LRP Calculator to pull tonight's published rates and see your producer premium before the 8:25 a.m. Central deadline. For a definitions index see the LRP Glossary.
LRP Rates FAQ
What are LRP rates?
LRP rates are the per-cwt premium percentages USDA RMA publishes each evening for every commodity, class, region, endorsement length, and coverage level. The rate multiplied by total liability gives gross premium, before the federal subsidy.
How often do LRP rates change?
Every weeknight (Sunday through Thursday). Rates move with CME futures volatility — Feeder Cattle futures drive feeder rates, Live Cattle futures drive fed-cattle rates. Rates published tonight are valid for sales until 8:25 a.m. Central tomorrow.
Why are LRP rates higher for longer endorsements?
Longer endorsements price in more time-to-expiration risk. A 52-week rate is meaningfully higher than a 13-week rate at the same coverage level because there is more time for prices to move against the floor.
Estimator only — not an official quote. Final premiums must be obtained from a USDA-approved crop insurance agent.