Mike Pearson tells listeners how Missouri farmer Steve McBee from the reality show, the McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys, has pled guilty to a multi-million crop insurance scheme.

McBee pled guilty to federal crop insurance fraud that stretched from 2018-2020. He is accused of participating in $4 million in losses to the federal government.

McBee reportedly is accused of false reporting significant under reporting in his soybean corn yields.

In 2018, McBee produced 1.2 Million bushels of corn and 416 million bushels of soybeans. However, he reported only producing 340,000 bushels of corn and 190,000 bushels of soybeans.

McBee garnered $2.6 million in crop insurance benefits and half a million dollars in premium subsidies. In addition, McBee provided false planting dates and crop sequences in other years to further obtain undeserved benefits.

McBee faces a sentence of up to 30 years in prison without parole. He is also required to pay restitution as determined and forfeit $3 million he gained from the federal government.

There has been no official statement from the reality tv show, McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys as of yet or any mention of the future of the show.

Farm Progress America is a daily look at key issues in agriculture. It is produced and presented by Mike Pearson, farm broadcaster and host of This Week in Agribusiness.

Related:Farm Progress America, Dec. 13, 2024