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Crop Insurance claims require good recordsAs the sales closing date for wheat approaches, Frontier Farm Credit insurance experts remind farmers to plan ahead for claims and documentation to support their Actual Production History. Farmers with wheat policies are required to make any applications, changes, cancellations or county designations by Sept. 30. USDA Risk Management Agency announced the 2009 wheat base price at $5.42 for Crop Revenue Coverage and Revenue Assurance (RA). CRC provides revenue protection based on price and yield expectations by paying for losses below the guarantee at the higher of an early-season price or the harvest price. RA provides dollar-denominated coverage by the producer selecting a dollar amount of target revenue from a range defined by 65 to 75 percent of expected revenue. To determine coverage, producers should visit with their crop insurance agent regarding the policy provisions in advance of the Sept. 30 deadline. The sign-up deadline for wheat coverage isn't the only factor grain farmers should consider now. Fall harvest and spring planting decisions have implications for crop insurance decisions. "As we approach harvest, farmers should keep production separate by unit," said Dave Taylor, crop insurance specialist, Frontier Farm Credit. "Scale tickets or marked grain bins provide a record of unit production, which is necessary in the event of a crop insurance claim. It's also critical to prove APH on each production unit." Taylor added that farmers should contact their crop insurance agent for an appraisal of corn or milo used for silage, so that production can be recorded to maintain yield history. "There are good crops with strong yields being cut for silage," said Taylor. "That is part of the farm unit history and should be appraised to maintain accurate APH records." With early-order discounts, farmers are selecting seed for spring planting at this time. Taylor encouraged farmers to visit with their crop insurance agents about discounts for stacked trait corn. "The key is to communicate with your crop insurance agent," said Taylor.
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