<b>By ANN HINCH<br>
Assistant Editor</b> </p><p> LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Though Asian Soybean Rust (ASR) was first found in the continental United States three years ago, so far no farmer has submitted a loss claim for crop insurance based on that fungus.</p><p>
Eldon Gould, administrator of the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), oversees the Federal Crop Insurance Corp. (FCIC) as part of his duties. The Illinois soybean and corn farmer explained the RMA acts as a partner to – and regulator of – crop insurance companies. Only 16 companies across the country are eligible to sell crop insurance and they must operate under guidelines established by the Federal Crop Insurance Board.</p><p>
In 2007, Gould said the FCIC oversaw $67 billion in crop insurance liability protection, covering 358 commodities across 242 million acres. About half of that is concentrated in corn, soybeans and wheat grown in the Midwest.</p><p>
Drought claims made up 40 percent of losses between 2001-05, and excessive moisture damage comprised 25 percent of losses. Only four percent of losses were disease-related.</p><p>
For a successful claim, he advised farmers to document their scouting and prevention efforts – such as spraying fungicide when advised to do so by an expert such as a certified crop advisor, consultant or horticulturist, or extension personnel.</p><p>
“If you’re documenting what you do, we’re probably going to be on your side,” Gould said. “Just manage your crop as though you had no insurance.”</p><p>
One option is to create a free profile of one’s farm at the USDA Integrated Pest Management website. There’s a special section for ASR at www.sbrusa.net and the “Management Toolbox” section is where a grower can enter their information to get updated good farming practices recommended by USDA, as well as keep track of what they are doing on their own farm. If a grower ever has to submit an insurance claim, Gould said this is an ideal way to show one has kept track of their activities.</p><p>
Glancing at a dotted U.S. map showing where ASR has been found thus far, Gould quipped, “Fortunately, I don’t see too many dots in Illinois yet, and that’s just fine with me.</p><p>
“We’ll see what 2008 brings.” |
