North Dakota farmers still trying to harvest corn and soybeans are being reminded that time is running out to file a notice of loss with their insurance provider and request more time to harvest.
Producers in North Dakota were affected by a wet summer and an early fall snowstorm. Gov. Doug Burgum issued a statewide flood emergency, and federal Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue declared a secretarial disaster designation for 47 of North Dakota’s 53 counties.
The latest crop report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service, released Monday, showed 8% of the state’s soybean crop and 64% of the corn still in the fields. Some farmers aren’t even trying to harvest because it costs too much to dry the corn. Others are planning to wait until spring, though that can cause yield loss. But some farmers are still trying to get their crop off the field yet this year.
Producers can file a notice of loss and request more time to harvest before the end of the insurance period, so that federal crop insurance claims are settled based on the amount of harvested production, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency.
“Likewise, farmers may have lost-production or quality issues and choose to file a claim and have it appraised,” state Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said. “It is a complex issue, and each farmer will need to evaluate their situation and act accordingly.”
The end of the insurance period for corn and soybeans is Tuesday. Insurance providers may allow additional time to harvest, on a case-by-case basis, when certain conditions are met.
More information is available on the Risk Management Agency website.