We are well into the harvest price discovery for Revenue Protection, which tracks during the month of October. Prices are currently averaging $7.50 for the 10 days that it has tracked, which is a large increase from our spring price which was $5.68. With production all over the board, it looks as if the market is going to stay fairly strong, although volatile.

 

Insurance products that worked this season:

• Of course revenue products will continue to be on the forefront of risk management products. 

• Greensnap/wind products often paid off  this year. 

 

• Farmers should consider the Trend Adjustment product designed to increase APH and thus protection level. 

• When trying to decide where the money is best invested, always try to select the MPCI percentage level that more than covers your inputs for the farms in question. Most times for rented ground it will take an 80% policy to cover all inputs.

Commonly asked Questions:

Do I get the higher of the two prices?

If you elected for Revenue Protection, then yes, you will get the higher of the fall or spring price.

 

I tested above what the coop will accept for alflatoxin levels, now what?

Call your insurance agent and let them know what level you tested at, remember that insurance does not kick in until 20ppm. Do not store the corn until a sample has been taken from your insurance adjuster or at the coop to be left for your insurance adjuster.

 

I am done harvesting, what do I need for records for my claim?

Laura Kelley - Call me with your questions.

Once your insurance agent has been called, the adjuster will come out to measure bins, look at settlement sheets and weigh tickets to determine your total loss. Claims will not be paid until after the harvest price discovery period during the month of October.

 

Will I be audited this year and what can I expect?

Any claim over $200,000.00 will bring an automatic 3-year audit. Don't believe the rumors that won't happen this year.  However, if you pass your first year audit, you will not have to go through the two years prior to last year. You will need all records from the previous year such as settlement sheets, bin measurement sheets, and weigh tickets. You can also have your monitor records as a backup source. Monitor records are considered soft records and will not be accepted as your only form of proof of yields.

 

The only audits that will be less than usual are the conflict of interest audits. (your agent is related to you, or maybe that you have a business relationship with that person) Due to the volume of claims, some of the conflict of interest audits are expected to be reduced. 

 

Does your combine have a yield monitor? Are you properly using it? A yield monitor is more than just a monitor to tell you yield.  It can also be used for:

• Moisture
• Weight/ Bushels ( for loading a semi or a cart or even a grain bin)
• Total Area Estimates
• Hybrid Analytics
• Record Keeping
• Future Decision Making         

A yield monitor is the final piece of the information puzzle. It displays the end result of your investments in a crop. When GPS is added to a yield monitor, you can accurately make a yield map of your fields. A map can uncover valuable trends about your fields, which are useful in future, decisions.

 

A pre-season yield monitor check is always wise. Make sure the clean grain elevator chain is adjusted correctly. Next, inspect the flow sensor and deflector plates for wear. The moisture sensor is also important to check. Make sure it is clean and free of any old grain and dirt. Make sure the temperature sensor is functioning correctly, too. Finally, pull the combine out of the shed before you go to the field and make sure that you have GPS signal as well as elevator speed signal when you engage the separator.

 

Calibration is crucial for accurate yield data. A calibration should be performed annually for each crop that you harvest. If your yield monitor is not accurate or functioning correctly, neither is the data that you get from your yield monitor.

 

Be sure to contact us if you have any questions regarding yield monitors or for your calibration needs! Don't wait until next harvest season to consider yield monitors or GPS.

 

It's never too early to start thinking about the 2013 crop and ways to enhance your planter. Numerous products and modifications can increase efficiency and boost yields.

 

Clutch Control - Average seed savings with clutch control is 5-15%. Clutch control helps save seed when you are overplanting into point rows or when you don't need to be planting the entire swath width of your planter. It also helps boost yield in those areas where you didn't overplant by allowing those plants to develop full sized ears.

 

Variable Rate Control - Adding a hydraulic drive to your planter allows you to change your seed populations on the go and vary your seed populations based on fertility and soil type zones to maximize your inputs and yields. You can change populations manually or automatically by use of a seed prescription.

 

Down Force Control - Down force control can automatically change down force on your row unit based on soil conditions to reduce sidewall compaction and also make sure the seed reaches proper depth. There are several types of down force controls. 

 

Row Cleaner Control - Properly moving trash or reducing trenching with your row cleaners can increase yield. You can control this with the addition of an air cylinder that increases down force or raises the row cleaner when not needed. A small controller box in the cab controls the row cleaners.

 

Seed Firmers - Seed firmers provide more uniform seed depth and improve seed to soil contact. Seed firmers can be used to apply chemicals in-furrow such as starter fertilizer or insecticide.

 

Planter Meters - A wide variety of components are available for most planters that make seed spacing more accurate, which increases profits. We support finger, air pressure, and vacuum planters.

 

It is important to consider the available options to accessorize your planter to maximize yields on your farm. These accessories are available for most models of planters. If you have questions give us a call. We are here to help YOU maximize your yields and profitability!

Thank you for your business.

Call us if we can help.