MGA and Axa XL fund $20m livestock facility

Rokstone Agriculture has added a $20 million excess livestock risks facility through a partnership with Axa XL, expanding the specialty MGA’s capacity to $30 million for livestock insurers.

New capacity aims to meet rising demand

The agreement gives the MGA a fresh source of excess coverage for both owned and non‑owned livestock operations. It also creates a secondary option for primary livestock policies on a non‑admitted basis, complementing the existing $10 million primary perils facility that Rokstone already writes on admitted and non‑admitted lines.

According to the filing, the new facility is intended to address “increased risk exposure” that the sector faces as the value of livestock assets climbs. Operators have been asking for higher limits, and the added $20 million should help meet those requests.

Eric Conklin, chief executive of Rokstone Agriculture, said he was “delighted to have such committed capacity partners.” He noted his prior experience at Axa XL and described the partnership as a “quality endorsement” that reflects market confidence in the company’s expertise.

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Underwriting focus and market context

Lorraine Mills, underwriting manager for livestock at Axa XL, emphasized the insurer’s trust in Rokstone’s “specialist underwriting expertise and disciplined approach to risk selection.” She said the collaboration will build on a “long‑standing relationship” and support growth in what she called an “important sector.”

While the added capacity is a clear response to current market pressures, it also mirrors a broader trend where insurers are seeking to diversify risk through excess facilities. Similar moves have been observed in other agricultural lines, where the rise in animal prices and climate‑related threats have pushed insurers to secure larger buffers.

Farmers gain stronger protection.

Rokstone’s existing $10 million primary perils facility remains active, written on both admitted and non‑admitted bases. The new $20 million excess layer is expected to sit atop that foundation, providing a safety net for larger or more complex risks.

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Industry observers have pointed out that the combined $30 million capacity still represents a modest share of total global livestock insurance demand, but it marks a significant step for a specialty MGA focused on this niche.

Implications for policyholders

For livestock owners, the partnership could translate into higher policy limits and potentially more flexible terms, especially for those with high‑value stock or diversified operations. The non‑admitted option may also appeal to cross‑border clients who need coverage that aligns with varying regulatory regimes.

Rokstone’s statement highlighted that the facility “reflects confidence in the team’s specialist underwriting expertise.” That confidence may encourage other reinsurers to explore similar excess arrangements, further deepening the market’s capacity.

Overall, the new facility expands the tools available to insurers handling livestock risk, and it arrives at a time when the sector is grappling with rising asset values and heightened exposure to disease and weather events.