Handling Quality Loss Concerns
Quality loss issues for corn and soybeans are being reported across parts of the Corn Belt following prolonged rainfall. As harvest continues, please review the guidance below to help answer producer questions and determine when a claim may appropriate.
Start With a Representative Grade
If a producer is concerned about damaged corn, encourage them to have the grain professionally sampled and graded. A small, hand-shelled sample from the field is not enough to accurately determine the extent of damage.
For MPCI quality adjustment, damage must exceed 10.0%. An elevator may discount grain at a lower level, but that does not necessarily qualify the production for an MPCI quality adjustment.
Above 10.0% damage: Submit a claim.
Close to 10.0% damage: Continue monitoring representative grades from future loads before submitting a claim.
Indemnity Criteria: Please remember that even with a reduction to production to count due to quality, production/revenue to count would need to fall below the guarantee before any indemnity would be due.
Answers to Common Questions
What if the grain is going directly to the elevator?
An adjuster generally does not need to take field samples. Encourage the producer to retain settlement sheets and grading information for use if a claim is submitted.
What if the grain will be store on the farm?
Damaged grain: If damaged grain will be placed in a bin with production from other units, submit a claim so samples can be obtained before the grain is commingled.
Low test weight: If the test weight is below 49 pounds, keep the production seprate from other units or submit a claim so an adjuster can obtain samples.
Vomitoxin: Samples may be pulled from the bin, but production from different units msut remain separate.
Does MPCI cover quality deterioration in storage?
No. MPCI coverage ends once grain is combined or threshed, so further deterioration in storage is not covered. Spoilage and quality-related issues are also excluded under the private-product Storage Endorsement.
Key Takeaway for ProducersDo not assume a quality loss based on how corn looks in the field or from a small hand sample. Get a representative sample professionally graded and retain grading and settlement documentation. If results show damage above the MPCI threshold, significant low test weight or vomitoxin, or questionable production will be farm-stored, contact your agent. |