http://textpattern.com/?v=4.0.8 Frontier Farm Credit | Ag & Farm Loans, Crop & Livestock Insurance - Blog - Crop Talk http://www.frontierfarmcredit.com/ Side-by-Side. Season-by-Season. Fri, 25 May 2012 21:33:07 GMT Crop Talk The weather, markets, world economy, and supply and demand have certainly made management decisions a challenge. Let one of our Crop Insurance Specialists visit with you to help make some risk management decisions less difficult. Probably the first step toward a decision is to calculate input costs so a Crop Insurance Specialist can determine whether the correct level of coverage is in place to cover these costs.

]]> The weather, markets, world economy, and supply and demand have certainly made management decisions a challenge. Let one of our Crop Insurance Specialists visit with you to help make some risk management decisions less difficult. Probably the first step toward a decision is to calculate input costs so a Crop Insurance Specialist can determine whether the correct level of coverage is in place to cover these costs.

The established price for corn will be set in February based upon December futures price on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). The soybean price will be set in February based upon November futures contract on the CBOT. The established price is the daily average for the total trading days in the month of February. This price has a direct affect on dollars of coverage as well as premium. The Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced in November that a reduction in premium was approved for 2012 on corn and soybeans. This reduction will vary by state and county. You may want to consider using this savings to increase your coverage for 2012 to help offset the increasing input costs.

Other Changes for 2012

  • The RMA also approved an increase of the County T-Yields for both corn and soybeans. This also varies by county and is more in line with actual county yields. If you are adding new ground for 2012, you should visit with one of our Crop Insurance Specialists to verify whether the new county yield or your simple average yield will be to your advantage.
  • If you are considering breaking out ground that has not been farmed in the previous three years, you must apply for a written agreement by March 15th. This date has changed so please act now if you are breaking out ground. Also, the rules for the approved yield for new breaking have changed. Call a Frontier Farm Credit Crop Insurance Specialist today so they may help you to completely understand these changes.
  • The premium due date for spring crops changed beginning with the 2012 crop year. Spring crop premiums will be due by August 15th. The wheat premiums will remain due July 1, 2012, but change to August 15, in 2013. This is a huge change from the past due dates so please plan accordingly.
  • We had a large number of audits this year that went very smoothly due to the fact we had the records in our secure-shared drive and were able to easily provide these files to the auditor. Most audits were complete before the customer had completed their 2011 harvest. For customers who do business with Frontier Farm Credit Crop Insurance, we can not only give you off-site protection of your records, but make the audit process go
    more smoothly and timely.
  • Several crop insurance update meetings will be hosted in our territory. Please call a Frontier Farm Credit Regional Office for more information.

We appreciate you doing business with Frontier Farm Credit.
Let our team of experienced staff work for you.

Call us 24/7 at 888-598-8329
cropinsurance@frontierfarmcredit.com

Frontier Farm Credit is an Equal Opportunity Employer

]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FrontierFarmCredit-Blog-CropTalk/~3/16mlIZ7tnXQ/crop-talk Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:06:53 GMT Crop Insurance Specialists tag:www.frontierfarmcredit.com,2012-02-27:ade3e97934f7507517ebbc3ffafd7cbb/a4260b94ad852fdf4bd5f800088a090d http://www.frontierfarmcredit.com/blog/737/crop-talk Crop Talk If only we had a crystal ball to predict the future, our decisions in agriculture would be so much easier. Who could have predicted in early June we would go from ideal crop prospects, to widespread wind and hail, to record floods and then near all time record heat and drought. The volatility in our weather and markets is why crop insurance is so important in managing your risk. Please take the time to sit down with your Crop Insurance Specialist and review your coverage and all policy information. This will allow for accuracy and help to not only cover your input costs, but also achieve the goals of your marketing plan. We probably say this in every newsletter, but crop insurance is no longer a “one size fits all” program. Do yourself a favor and give your Crop Insurance Specialist the time it takes to be sure you have the coverage you need when you need it.

]]> If only we had a crystal ball to predict the future, our decisions in agriculture would be so much easier. Who could have predicted in early June we would go from ideal crop prospects, to widespread wind and hail, to record floods and then near all time record heat and drought. The volatility in our weather and markets is why crop insurance is so important in managing your risk. Please take the time to sit down with your Crop Insurance Specialist and review your coverage and all policy information. This will allow for accuracy and help to not only cover your input costs, but also achieve the goals of your marketing plan. We probably say this in every newsletter, but crop insurance is no longer a “one size fits all” program. Do yourself a favor and give your Crop Insurance Specialist the time it takes to be sure you have the coverage you need when you need it.

The spring prices used to calculate your policy guarantees were $6.01 on corn and $13.49 on soybeans. With these prices in mind, it has not taken a huge bushel loss to exceed the $100,000 mark. This threshold, set by the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA), requires all insurance companies to complete an Actual Productiion History (APH) Audit of the three previous years’ production. This is performed by crop and by county and includes any harvest price payments that may be made. Frontier Farm Credit has helped a number of producers the last couple years by scanning and storing their records for future use, such as an audit, and for off-site protection of the records. Frontier Farm Credit’s Crop Insurance Team has the knowledge, technology, mapping and on-farm services to deliver timely, exceptional service.

The projected price on 2012 wheat was set at $8.62 per bushel. This gives the wheat producer an opportunity to buy the guaranteed dollars needed to cover the input costs.

Also, be sure to report all of your 2011 wheat production to maintain your APH and unit structure. Wheat production must be reported by November 14, 2011, for production to count for your 2012 wheat.

Keep in mind all losses must be reported in a timely manner by crop and county. Let your Crop Insurance Specialist know if you have a loss or suspect a loss by calling our cell numbers or our toll-free crop insurance line, (888) 598-8329. This line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We look forward to visiting with you about your risk management needs and hope you have a safe harvest.

Frontier Farm Credit appreciates your business.

Your Crop Insurance Team
Phone Toll Free 24/7
1-888-598-8329

Frontier Farm Credit is an Equal Opportunity Employer

]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FrontierFarmCredit-Blog-CropTalk/~3/vBf_-nbEm1w/crop-talk Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:37:41 GMT Crop Insurance Specialists tag:www.frontierfarmcredit.com,2011-11-18:ade3e97934f7507517ebbc3ffafd7cbb/091e79153b79550ef856b89f55c67b5c http://www.frontierfarmcredit.com/blog/713/crop-talk Crop Talk Frontier Farm Credit’s crop insurance experts want to remind farmers that the level of aflatoxin in corn may qualify the production for quality adjustment under their MPCI crop insurance policy.

]]> Frontier Farm Credit’s crop insurance experts want to remind farmers that the level of aflatoxin in corn may qualify the production for quality adjustment under their MPCI crop insurance policy.

“With the exceptionally hot and dry summer we have been experiencing, the presence in aflatoxin in corn is becoming a bigger concern,” said Eric Wiles, Crop Insurance Specialist with Frontier Farm Credit. “It is important to call your crop insurance agent if any presence is suspected.”

For production that will be stored on the farm or in commercial storage, the appropriate samples must be obtained by the adjuster (or a trained disinterested third party approved by the crop insurance company) prior to the production entering storage, because aflatoxin has the potential to increase in stored production. Other substances or conditions may also have the potential to increase in storage. If appropriate samples are not obtained prior to storage, such production will not be adjusted for quality due to a substance or condition injurious to human or animal health.

Checklist for an aflatoxin adjustment:

  • Check fields
  • If aflatoxin is suspected, contact your insurance agent to turn in claim (do not store until tested)
  • Tell adjuster of aflatoxin concerns
  • The adjuster will pull samples from field and send to an approved laboratory for third party testing
  • If the level of the aflatoxin in the production is at a high enough level to qualify the production for quality adjustment, the production to count will be adjusted for quality.

The RMA discount factors for Aflatoxin are:
20.1—50.0 ppb = .100 Reduction to Yield
50.1—100.0 ppb = .200 Reduction to Yield
100.1—200.0 ppb = .300 Reduction to Yield
200.1—300.0 ppb = .400 Reduction to Yield
300.1 ppb & above = .500 or 0 factor. Reduction to Yield

A Frontier Farm Credit crop insurance specialist can be reached 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week by calling (888) 598-8329.

]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FrontierFarmCredit-Blog-CropTalk/~3/ZMidbcZQufo/crop-talk Tue, 02 Aug 2011 14:26:36 GMT Crop Insurance Specialists tag:www.frontierfarmcredit.com,2011-08-02:ade3e97934f7507517ebbc3ffafd7cbb/5889346ac7c32841c89e60ffcc78b3ee http://www.frontierfarmcredit.com/blog/686/crop-talk Crop Talk It appears 2011 will have the usual challenges in the weather—timely planting and volatility in the markets. These are just a couple reasons why crop insurance is so important to agriculture.

The wheat crop appears to be promising in our 41-county territory, which is not the situation to our west and south. With the current market value of the crop, producers should consider covering the top-end or the uninsured portion of the crop with hail and windstorm/tornado coverage. In eastern Kansas, rates are very affordable when compared to the dollars in the field. This coverage can be written in addition to MPCI coverage.

]]> It appears 2011 will have the usual challenges in the weather—timely planting and volatility in the markets. These are just a couple reasons why crop insurance is so important to agriculture.

The wheat crop appears to be promising in our 41-county territory, which is not the situation to our west and south. With the current market value of the crop, producers should consider covering the top-end or the uninsured portion of the crop with hail and windstorm/tornado coverage. In eastern Kansas, rates are very affordable when compared to the dollars in the field. This coverage can be written in addition to MPCI coverage.

For those who have an MPCI policy, if a loss of any kind is suspected, insureds must notify their agent so a loss can be set up in a timely manner. This also applies to replant or prevented planting claims. Please call any of our Crop Insurance Specialists or our toll free number, (888) 598-8329, for assistance every day, around the clock. It is very critical that these losses are reported timely for coverage to apply.

The July 15 acreage reporting deadline is nearing. Many insured producers have a map-based acreage report. These maps are intended to help with the reporting process, but are not perfect. We have found that the Comprehensive Information Management System (CIMS) program was rewritten from the last farm bill and a considerable amount of data is not available at this time. Please follow this checklist to help submit an accurate acreage report.

  • Certify all planted acres at USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) as soon as planting is complete. This includes all double crop and prevented planted acres.
  • Include a copy of your “Producer Print 578” with your report to your Crop Insurance Specialist with field maps.
  • Please check and verify that all information on the 578 is correct. This includes crop, share, landlord, legal and plant date.
  • Please sign all reports exactly as shown as the named insured.
  • All named insureds must sign the entity name followed by the Power of Attorney’s (POA) signature.
  • The deadline to report your spring planted acres is July 15.

Crop Hail Insurance is also available and very affordable on your spring planted crops. New for 2011 is wind coverage on corn. This coverage is available in addition to green snap and must be bound by June 15. All our crop hail coverage can be bound and in effect in two hours. Please do not miss the opportunity to insure those uninsured bushels in this market. Crop Hail coverage will also give you additional opportunity in your marketing decisions.

Your business and confidence in Frontier Farm Credit is appreciated.

Frontier Farm Credit is an Equal Opportunity Provider.

Your Crop Insurance Team
Phone Toll Free 24/7
1-888-598-8329

]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FrontierFarmCredit-Blog-CropTalk/~3/MhA20G-tGEE/crop-talk Tue, 31 May 2011 17:06:13 GMT Crop Insurance Specialists tag:www.frontierfarmcredit.com,2011-05-31:ade3e97934f7507517ebbc3ffafd7cbb/7083f8d004dd46f5b55eb37af3172d2a http://www.frontierfarmcredit.com/blog/671/crop-talk Crop Talk For the third straight year, the markets have been strong, and for the most part, the yields have been fair to good. This volatility is what makes crop insurance your most important risk management tool. With this said, there are changes in crop insurance critical to recognize to meet 2011 goals.

Crop insurance is no longer a “one size fits all” decision and no two producers have the same risk tolerance. Before making any crop insurance decision, you need to know the cost of production or input cost. Crop insurance coverage needs to cover these costs as a minimum goal. Why risk one disaster year to take away what has been gained in the last three? This point is so easily overlooked at a time when we are looking for ways to cut costs. Yes, we sell crop insurance, but we care very much about your continued success.

]]> For the third straight year, the markets have been strong, and for the most part, the yields have been fair to good. This volatility is what makes crop insurance your most important risk management tool. With this said, there are changes in crop insurance critical to recognize to meet 2011 goals.

Crop insurance is no longer a “one size fits all” decision and no two producers have the same risk tolerance. Before making any crop insurance decision, you need to know the cost of production or input cost. Crop insurance coverage needs to cover these costs as a minimum goal. Why risk one disaster year to take away what has been gained in the last three? This point is so easily overlooked at a time when we are looking for ways to cut costs. Yes, we sell crop insurance, but we care very much about your continued success.

Crop insurance can help take some of the worry out of marketing decisions. With a revenue protection policy, you are really buying dollar coverage, not bushel coverage. The guaranteed dollars per acre can help you market your crop.

Q&A
Question: Should I forward contract my entire guarantee today on one price contract?
Answer: Probably not, but it goes back to your personal risk tolerance. You could use that guarantee to “stair step” your forward pricing throughout the marketing year to help you achieve the best average price possible. Your overall result is what the bottom line is all about, not whether you hit the high on a load or two, and the bottom on the rest of your production. Your Frontier Farm Credit Crop Insurance Specialist can calculate your personal farm scenario to help you with the decision making process.

The 2011 Crop Insurance Renewal/Change form should be on your desk by now. Your verification that this information is correct and current is the most important responsibility you have as an insured. Please verify that all information is correct. This includes named insureds, social security numbers, EIN, divorces, marriages, newly formed entities (Partnerships, LLC, Corp, Trust, etc.) and any death of an insured or spouse. All information on the form should be reviewed and verified. All changes must be completed by the March 15, 2011, sales closing date. Also, a reminder that your 2010 production for all units by crop is necessary to calculate your 2011 APH and to maintain unit structure. We will have all loss information already in the system, but we will need all non-loss units to update your history. Your Crop Insurance Specialist will be following up for this information if you have not already provided it.

We have always stressed the importance of accurate information, but it has become more important than ever. Now, if information is inaccurate, RMA will assess a costly penalty of 20% of your calculated premium and void the policy for the crop year involved.

Please help us help you make crop insurance what you need it to be. Verify all information on your policy renewal forms, acreage reports, and production reports and contact your Crop Insurance Specialist with any and all updates.

We appreciate your business at Frontier Farm Credit and look forward to visiting with you soon.

Your Crop Insurance Team
Phone Toll Free 24/7
1-888-598-8329

Frontier Farm Credit is an Equal Opportunity Provider

]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FrontierFarmCredit-Blog-CropTalk/~3/P_yWjYQL0Ag/crop-talk Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:16:46 GMT Crop Insurance Specialists tag:www.frontierfarmcredit.com,2011-02-17:ade3e97934f7507517ebbc3ffafd7cbb/f25b50823e73dc4254c9693c6e574779 http://www.frontierfarmcredit.com/blog/640/crop-talk Crop Talk We certainly hope you all are having a safe and bountiful harvest. The yield reports are widely varied, but we can be thankful for a strong market in grains and cattle.

A new crop insurance agreement was signed by the RMA and Crop Insurance Providers that takes effect with the 2011 crop year. This change is long overdue and finally brings to the table the “combo” policy that has been the center of discussion for almost five years.

]]> We certainly hope you all are having a safe and bountiful harvest. The yield reports are widely varied, but we can be thankful for a strong market in grains and cattle.

A new crop insurance agreement was signed by the RMA and Crop Insurance Providers that takes effect with the 2011 crop year. This change is long overdue and finally brings to the table the “combo” policy that has been the center of discussion for almost five years. For the producer, it makes the decision making process much easier, based on products available and having only one discovery period for the price. CRC and RA is now a combined product called Revenue Protection or RP. The old APH plan is now called Yield Protection or YP. The following information highlights some of the 2011 crop insurance changes.

Common Crop Insurance Policy

  • RMA has combined APH, CRC and RA into a single uniform policy.
  • Single rating and pricing component so all insurable coverage is consistent in protection and cost.

General Benefits

Simplified

  • One basic provision instead of three (APH/CRC/RA).
  • One set of actuarial documents instead of five.
  • One projected price and one harvest price.

Uniform

  • Rating System
  • Premium Calculation
  • Price Discovery

Premium Due Dates Have Changed
For 2011, the premium due dates will remain July 1st for fall seeded crops and October 1st for spring seeded crops.

Beginning in 2012, ALL premiums will be due August 15th. Please plan and budget accordingly.

The interest rate is 1.25% per month or 15% annually.

The trade off for the benefits above will be more rules and regulations on misreporting of information, for example social security numbers, EIN, accuracy of the named insured as policy holder, marriages, deaths, divorces, Partnerships, LLC, Corporations, etc…. Your verification that this information is correct and current is the #1 most important responsibility you have as an insured.

We have always stressed the importance of accurate information as your Crop Insurance Specialists, but it has become more important than ever. Now a costly penalty of 20% of your calculated premium, and the policy being voided for the crop year involved, will be applied.

Please “help us, help you” make crop insurance what you need it to be. Verify all information on your policy renewal forms, acreage reports and production reports and contact your Crop Insurance Specialist with any and all updates.

As always, we appreciate your business at Frontier Farm Credit and look forward to visiting with you soon.

Your Crop Insurance Team
Phone Toll Free 24/7
1-888-598-8329

Frontier Farm Credit is an Equal Opportunity Provider.

]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FrontierFarmCredit-Blog-CropTalk/~3/0y0fEazeU3E/crop-talk Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:04:01 GMT cropis tag:www.frontierfarmcredit.com,2010-10-29:ade3e97934f7507517ebbc3ffafd7cbb/2856362a4ffed3de747824922c233f4d http://www.frontierfarmcredit.com/blog/612/crop-talk Crop Talk The storm season is upon us. As a producer, some things to consider during this time of year are crop hail insurance, replanting options, and acreage reporting.

Crop hail insurance adds value to complete risk management plan. This coverage may be used in conjunction with MPCI, or as a stand alone policy to insure total crop value and uninsurable crops from the perils of hail, wind and fire. Crop/hail coverage can be bound and in force two hours from the time of request. This comes in handy when the sky turns green. If you have chosen the Enterprise Unit Structure and you are concerned about spot loss protection, Crop Hail insurance can provide you this protection.

]]> The storm season is upon us. As a producer, some things to consider during this time of year are crop hail insurance, replanting options, and acreage reporting.

Crop hail insurance adds value to complete risk management plan. This coverage may be used in conjunction with MPCI, or as a stand alone policy to insure total crop value and uninsurable crops from the perils of hail, wind and fire. Crop/hail coverage can be bound and in force two hours from the time of request. This comes in handy when the sky turns green. If you have chosen the Enterprise Unit Structure and you are concerned about spot loss protection, Crop Hail insurance can provide you this protection.

Over the last several years we have seen numerous occasions where producers have had a need to replant. We all hope that we are not in that situation again. However, here are some things to remember if you need to replant.

  • Contact your agent to turn in a loss.
  • Wait for an adjuster to contact you and approve a replant before you inter-seed, destroy, or replant a crop.

Once you have completed planting all spring crops, remember to utilize your map book to report your acres to your crop insurance agent and FSA office. Key things to remember when reporting acres using your map book are:

  • Crop planted
  • Plant date
  • Your percent of interest in the crop
  • Other shareholders
  • Sign the report correctly for the entity type insured (Ex: Smith Brothers Farms Inc, by Joe Smith, President)

We hope everyone has a successful spring planting season. If you have any questions about Crop Insurance or any of the above items please contact your local Frontier Farm Credit Insurance Specialist or call our dedicated toll free number (888)598-8329. Thanks for your business with Frontier Farm Credit.

]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FrontierFarmCredit-Blog-CropTalk/~3/r6ohzG6CvyY/crop-talk Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:56:36 GMT tag:www.frontierfarmcredit.com,2010-06-08:ade3e97934f7507517ebbc3ffafd7cbb/e4bbcc15d6c9e8b0c63e39ab612d169f http://www.frontierfarmcredit.com/blog/590/crop-talk Crop Talk Record yields, overall production and excellent market prices marked 2009, alongside record moisture, record low summer temps and most recently, record snowfall. I am always amazed how the weather and field conditions vary so much in our 41-county territory. Most producers had numerous challenges. However, the reward of good yields and strong market prices has made it all worthwhile. Challenges define agriculture. Your Frontier Farm Credit Insurance Specialists want to help you meet those challenges to maximize your crop insurance coverage.

]]> Record yields, overall production and excellent market prices marked 2009, alongside record moisture, record low summer temps and most recently, record snowfall. I am always amazed how the weather and field conditions vary so much in our 41-county territory. Most producers had numerous challenges. However, the reward of good yields and strong market prices has made it all worthwhile. Challenges define agriculture. Your Frontier Farm Credit Insurance Specialists want to help you meet those challenges to maximize your crop insurance coverage.

Farmers, now more than ever, need a full-time Crop Insurance Specialist as one of their key consultants to keep them informed about constant program changes and to assist them in determining the best options for their operation.

Many changes are coming in 2010 and 2011 to the Federal Crop Insurance Program. Starting in 2010, new plant dates for corn and soybeans will take effect.

RMA has used data mining to determine when producers actually plant

  • Initial plant dates that vary by county
  • Final plant dates that vary by county

Thus, late planting period for corn was reduced from 25 days to 20 days.

Frontier Farm Credit has published a “Guide to Crop Insurance” which has an updated plant date supplement in a map format, making it easy to determine your plant date information. These guides will be available at the offices or at www.frontierfarmcredit.com

Stay tuned for more information later this year about the new Combo Policy for 2011. This policy will be in effect for wheat planted in the fall 2010.

  • Current products like CRC, RA and MPCI will be discontinued
  • The Combo Policy will be a single policy with coverage elections

With the current and upcoming changes in crop insurance, the map based acreage reporting and record keeping system offered by Frontier Farm Credit has become vital.

Frontier Farm Credit is committed to providing you the most trusted and knowledgeable information available anywhere in our territory.

Thank you for your business with FFC and have a successful 2010 and beyond.

]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FrontierFarmCredit-Blog-CropTalk/~3/DCFG8_4T69w/crop-talk Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:13:28 GMT tag:www.frontierfarmcredit.com,2010-02-16:ade3e97934f7507517ebbc3ffafd7cbb/36a91c269a8c7193fbcf2740df55e34a http://www.frontierfarmcredit.com/blog/545/crop-talk Crop Talk I hope this article finds all of you in the middle of a successful harvest. We have some spot loss situations due to hail, wind, flood, disease and in some cases, loss of nitrogen due to excess moisture. For the most part, however, I have heard about excellent yields. Please consider the following key points at harvest time:

  • Keep production records by unit. Mark your grain bins and identify all scale tickets by unit. Split tickets are NOT acceptable in the event of a claim.
]]>


I hope this article finds all of you in the middle of a successful harvest. We have some spot loss situations due to hail, wind, flood, disease and in some cases, loss of nitrogen due to excess moisture. For the most part, however, I have heard about excellent yields. Please consider the following key points at harvest time:

  • Keep production records by unit. Mark your grain bins and identify all scale tickets by unit. Split tickets are NOT acceptable in the event of a claim.
  • Precision Farming & Yield Monitors may be used for APH purposes only, but in the event of a loss, hard copy records are required.
  • If you suspect a loss, contact your FFC Crop Insurance Specialist immediately at (888) 598-8329.
  • If a production loss is discovered during harvest, report this loss within 15 days of completion of harvest by crop.
  • Please report your production as soon as harvest is complete, so your Crop Insurance Specialist can calculate your RA/CRC guarantees.

For those producers who are planting wheat for 2010, keep these points in mind:

  • The crop insurance prices set by the RMA for 2010 are $5.42 per bushel for RA & CRC and $5.20 per bushel for MPCI. These prices are considerably lower than those set for 2009.
  • If we have a delayed harvest, keep in mind the final plant date for wheat in your area. This varies by county, so you may need to visit with your Crop Insurance Specialist. If you plant after the final plant date, your crop is still insured but at a 1% reduction in guarantee per day, up to 15 days.
  • The wheat acreage reporting deadline is November 30, 2009.
  • Please be sure that all of your 2009 wheat production has been reported to your agent by the November 14, 2009 deadline. This is important to maintain yield and unit structure.

Have a safe and bountiful harvest and thank you for your business with Frontier Farm Credit.

]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FrontierFarmCredit-Blog-CropTalk/~3/mZPB8ld2D7I/crop-talk Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:16:18 GMT tag:www.frontierfarmcredit.com,2009-11-04:ade3e97934f7507517ebbc3ffafd7cbb/946b1e78314380a00ceb36b016a283ef http://www.frontierfarmcredit.com/blog/521/crop-talk Crop Talk Agriculture producers are constantly faced with decisions that affect financial success. Crop insurance is definitely one of those decisions. This time of year you are calculating seed, fertilizer, fuel, herbicide, insecticide, cost of equipment, interest expense, land cost and other factors that determine cost per acre. Your crop Insurance Specialist can help compare that per acre cost to crop insurance coverage.

]]> Agriculture producers are constantly faced with decisions that affect financial success. Crop insurance is definitely one of those decisions. This time of year you are calculating seed, fertilizer, fuel, herbicide, insecticide, cost of equipment, interest expense, land cost and other factors that determine cost per acre. Your crop Insurance Specialist can help compare that per acre cost to crop insurance coverage.

We all know that the base prices for RA and CRC are being determined in the month of February and will be significantly lower than they were a year ago. A lot of producers are thinking about a lower premium, but will the lower guarantees cover your input cost? Are you faced with any “carry over”debt from last year’s input costs? These are questions you must ask yourself if you have not already. The Sales Closing Deadline for making any changes to your Crop Insurance Policy is March 16, 2009.

Most of you have been to numerous trade shows, seed meetings and risk management seminars and have a general understanding of what is going on in 2009. Almost every farm publication has had more than one crop insurance article, but until you sit down with your Crop Insurance Specialist and look at your yield history and coverage level and how that will calculate out to your per acre guarantee, your decision-making tasks are not complete. RMA will be releasing the approved prices in early March and at that time, we can give you an accurate premium quote.

If you did not attend one of our Crop Insurance Producer meetings, I would like to touch on some of the changes for 2009.

  • Starting with the 2009 crop year there is now a 200% increase limit on how high the Harvest Prices can move on both RA and CRC. The only difference between these two products is the cost of the insurance and the dates the Harvest Prices are established.
  • Also new for 2009, the CAT Fees have increased from $100 to $300 per crop/per county. If you have a landlord with CAT coverage on a small unit, they probably should consider a buy-up policy to maximize their insurance coverage/cost.
  • The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Board approved Kansas as one of the additional states eligible to receive a premium rate reduction under the new Biotech Endorsement Program (BE). You are eligible for the discount if you plant a qualifying hybrid with advanced seed technologies. Eligibility requirements include but are not limited to planting at least 75% of the total insured corn acreage in the unit. This includes any replanted acreage but excludes acres designated as high-risk in the actuarial documents and must be corn planted for grain.

Please don’t hesitate to call one of your Frontier Farm Credit Crop Insurance Specialists, toll free at (888) 598-8329 to understand all the benefits and requirements of the BE program and see how our mapping services can help with the management of reporting these acres and receiving your premium reduction. Our specialists have a complete understanding of all the requirements and paperwork necessary so you do not miss out on this discount.

As always, Frontier Farm Credit appreciates your business and we look forward to visiting with you about your crop insurance and risk management decisions.

]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FrontierFarmCredit-Blog-CropTalk/~3/7WxSiZD7jNk/crop-talk Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:46:25 GMT Dave Taylor tag:www.frontierfarmcredit.com,2009-03-09:ade3e97934f7507517ebbc3ffafd7cbb/b96aeee6805af570fc26929da8979255 http://www.frontierfarmcredit.com/blog/449/crop-talk