LRP Feeder Cattle SCE currently caps the target weight for unborn bulls and heifers at 600 pounds. This limit does not reflect modern production practices or biological growth potential. Research and extension data demonstrate that calves typically exceed 700 pounds by 12 months of age in grazing systems, and can reach 900–1,000 pounds when placed directly on high-energy feedlot rations after weaning.
| Phase / Milestone | Pasture / Stocker System | Accelerated Feedlot System |
| Birth (0 mo.) | 80–90 lbs | 80–90 lbs |
| Weaning (6–7 mo.) | 450–550 lbs (forage + milk, little/no creep feed) | 500–600 lbs (milk + creep feed, better genetics) |
| Post-Weaning Diet | Pasture or forage-based ration | Direct feedlot entry, high-energy grain ration |
| Average Daily Gain (post-weaning) | 1.5–2.0 lbs/day | 3.0–3.5 lbs/day |
| Gain from Weaning to 12 mo. | ~225–360 lbs | ~450–600 lbs |
| Weight at 12 mo. | ~700–850 lbs | ~900–1,000 lbs |
Assuming that the producer purchases SCE for Unborn Bulls & Heifers type a month before calving, and plans to place the calf in accelerated feedlot system upon weaning, it is conceivable that the maximum achievable target weight for a 52-week endorsement would be 900 lbs. To better serve producers, the FCIC Board approved the increase to the maximum allowable target weight for all three Unborn (Bulls & Heifers, Brahman, Dairy) types to 900 lbs. The types will be split into two weight categories: Weight 1: 100-599 lbs, and Weight 2: 600-900 lbs. Weight 2 category will be available for endorsement lengths 30-52 weeks.
Under the 2026 LRP-Fed Cattle Specific Coverage Endorsement, the target weight range for steers and heifers is capped at 16 cwt. Recent USDA AMS data show that finished fed cattle frequently market well above 1,600 lbs live weight, particularly in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, where carcass weights have trended higher due to genetics, feeding strategies, and packer demand.
USDA NASS data show average steer dressed weights exceeding 930 lbs in recent years. Back-calculating to live weight (using a typical 62–63% dressing percentage) implies marketed live weights of 1,650–1,700 lbs. Producers finishing cattle to 1,650–1,800 lbs are still exposed to price risk for every additional pound marketed above 1,600 lbs. To address trends toward heavier cattle, FCIC Board approved raising the maximum allowable target weight for fed cattle, Steers and Heifers type from 16 cwt to 18 cwt, and for dairy cull cows from 15 cwt to 17 cwt.
For LGM-Cattle, maximum allowed target live cattle weight has been increased from 15 to 18 cwt for Yearling Finishing type, and from 13 to 16 cwt for Calf Finishing type. Target feeder cattle weight range for Yearling Finishing has been expanded from [6 – 9 cwt] in RY2026 to [6 – 12 cwt] in RY2027.
LGM-Cattle yearling finishing type assumes that feeder cattle is placed on feed for 5 months, and calf finishing type assumes that calves are fed for 8 months. Recognizing that there is a biological limit to weight gain that can occur within 5 or 8 months, respectively, a new rule limits the spread between the declared target weight for live cattle and the declared target weight for feeder cattle. For calf finishing operations that spread is capped at 10 cwt, and for yearling finishing the spread may be no larger than 6 cwt. For example, if a producer buys an SCE and declares a target live cattle weight of 15 cwt, the lowest allowable target feeder cattle weight would be 9 cwt under yearling finishing type, and 5 cwt for calf finishing operations.
To sum it up, highest insurable target weights for current (RY2026) vs new crop year (RY2027):
