HeartBeat Fall 2015 | Page 14

RISK MANAGEMENT A few tips to help you report claims. report in a timely manner • If you think you may have a loss, contact your agent immediately. Policy provisions require you to report a claim no later than 72 hours after discovery of damage, but no later than 15 days after harvest of the unit. prepare for a claim or audit review with accurate record keeping • Keep scale tickets and settlement sheets organized by unit. aflatoxin and other quality adjustments • Contact your agent at the first sign of grain quality issues. chopping, baling or abandoning crops • You must be approved by an insurance company adjuster before chopping, baling or abandoning your crop. Failure to receive approval from an adjuster could result in a loss of your claim. revenue claims • There is a potential for revenue claims this year. Keep production records accurate and separate by unit to prepare for a potential claim. commingling production • Commingling grain from several units requires a bin marking or load log to document production per unit. If you plan on commingling grain from past years, contact your agent before harvest begins. DATES TO REMEMBER October 31/November 15 Final plant date for wheat. (See county actuarial or contact your agent for details.) November 14 Final date to report 2015 wheat production. November 15 PRF (Rainfall Index) sales closing and acreage reporting December 10 Insurance coverage ends on spring crops. December 15 Final date to report claims for spring crops. December 15 Final acreage reporting date for wheat. Conservation Compliance If you have highly erodible land (HEL) or wetland in your farming operation you must be in compliance with the FSA to receive the subsidy on your crop insurance for the 2016 crop year. A certificate of compliance (Form AD1026) was to be on file at FSA by June 1, 2015. The AD-1026 compliance form is continuous and will not need to be refiled unless changes are made to your farming operation in the future. Check with your FSA office to make sure you’re in compliance with all farms you own and lease. For additional information, you can reference the USDA/ RMA website http://www.rma.usda.gov/help/faq/conservationcompliance.html. If you’re not in compliance, please visit with your agent regarding how the loss of the subsidy will effect your 2016 MPCI crop insurance. 14 HEARTBEAT | FALL 2015