Growers are seeing some challenges this year with White Mold in soybeans and Diplodia in corn. Some years it's Aflatoxin. Other times crops can be plagued with an early freeze. What do these four problems have in common? Lower revenue for the grower from a damaged crop, and a potential crop insurance claim. So what should you do?
- Protect the crop from further damage by providing sufficient care
- Contact your crop insurance agency and have them get in touch with the company that insures you within 72 hours of when you first discovered the damage. This is critical. You need to give notice, by unit, for each insured crop
- Leave representative samples, if required
- If it's frost damage to immature crops, notify your agent immediately. Appraisals on these crops will be deferred 7-10 days but the notice of loss needs to be submitted ASAP
Quality Adjustment Factors (QAF) apply to discounts for:
- Grade
- Low test weight
- Excessive kernel damage
- Sample grade factors (musty/sour odor)
In the case of Diplodia, it doesn't produce harmful toxins, but an immediate claim is important. Adjusters will use grain tickets or take bin samples to process claims. There are discount factors (DF) that apply to substances like Aflatoxin, which are dangerous to consume. If you suspect any mycotoxins - NOTIFY YOUR CROP INSURANCE AGENT IMMEDIATELY. Samples need to be taken by an adjuster PRIOR to on-farm or commercial storage. In this case, samples cannot be pulled from the bin or grain bags.