Communication with crop in­surance agents is crucial for farmers who encounter soybean and corn quality issues during harvest this fall. 

Iowa experienced its fourth-wettest September on record with an average of 7.83 inches of rainfall across the state, nearly 4.35 inches above the normal amount, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

As a result, many farmers are encountering grain quality concerns caused by excess moisture, mold development, sprouting, low test weight, kernel damage or mycotoxins.

Handling and harvest of damaged or discolored crops may vary depending on the specific situation, but connecting with your crop insurance agent is an important first step to establishing a quality loss claim.

Crop insurance companies ad­vise farmers who are concerned about damaged grain to start by having a sample taken from a truck or a combine professionally graded. A small, hand-shelled sample from the field generally isn’t enough to accurately determine the extent of damage. 

Cosmetic issues like seed discoloration can have many causes. Certain issues that don’t affect soybean quality aren’t being docked by soybean processors, but could affect exports. 


Next Steps

What to do when you discover mold, low test weight, kernel damage, odor or suspected mycotoxins in your crops:

• Report the issue early. You must report crop damage or potential production loss to your Approved Insurance Provider (AIP) or crop insurance agent within 72 hours of initial discovery and no later than 15 days after the insurance period ends. Watch for test weights below 49 pounds per bushel or kernel damage exceeding 10% for corn or 8% for soybeans. Also inform your agent whether the grain is standing, being harvested, delivered or stored and what you plan to do with it.

• Keep affected production separate. Identify affected grain by field, unit, load and bin whenever possible. Avoid mixing it with other production. 

• Save your records. If grain is going to the elevator, keep scale tickets, official grade certificates, test results, settlement sheets, rejection or discount documentation and photos. 

• For on-farm storage or use, don’t feed, blend, clean, recondition, change the use of, abandon or destroy affected production until you have received direction from an adjuster.

• If you suspect a mycotoxin or other health hazard, contact your agent before putting the grain into farm storage. Sampling requirements can depend on the type of issue and where the grain is located.

• Spoilage and further deterioration in storage isn’t a covered loss.

• Visible mold or an elevator discount doesn’t automatically qualify for a crop insurance quality discount. Production and/or revenue must fall below the policy guarantee before any indemnity would be due.