Better Check for Aflatoxins in Your Corn

You already know how dangerous aflatoxins can be to your corn, so it is always important to keep a keen eye out for them appearing.  Aflatoxins are a group of chemicals produced by a certain mold fungi which appears as a yellow-green or gray-green color on corn kernels, either in the field or in storage.

So, why should you be concerned about them now?  The prime conditions for the fungus to produce are during warm August nights during a drought…and well, those conditions describe our Mid-Atlantic area right now!

The best way to check your corn for aflatoxins is to make a composite sample consisting of subsamples from every load or bin of corn and test periodically.

And what should you do if you find aflatoxins?  If you suspect this fungus, call your local Farm Credit crop insurance agent immediately.  To ensure coverage, samples must be taken before the grain goes into the bin or any other storage facility.  We can be reached at 888-339-3334 or on mafc.com.

SERIES: The Experts in Our Field ft. Crop Insurance

Choose MAFC for Your Crop Insurance Needs, Part 2

By: Kelly Bailey, crop insurance specialist

Happy Friday, and welcome to our last crop insurance department tribute.  I told you there were more reasons for why we’re your best choice for crop insurance.  So, here you go:

1. We are committed to learning.  We take the time to attend different agriculture and insurance related seminars, trainings, and events multiple times per year to expand our knowledge and better serve you. Crop insurance is an industry of change, and we work hard to make sure that we stay up to date with the industry.
2. We have a service oriented attitude – from figuring out production totals to filing claims, we work with our customers to ensure they receive exceptional service from our agents. Since crop insurance can be used as a tool to increase borrowing potential, what better place to work with an agent that has your loan officer in house? All of your needs can be met in the same place.
3. And we’re growing (and will continue to if that means better service to you). We mentioned earlier this week that our services have expanded to cover our entire territory by hiring new employees.  Do you have any other suggestions for us?

All in all, you put everything you have into your business, so why not let the best of the industry take care of your crop insurance needs?  We’re here to help you make the best of your growing seasons – in good times and bad.  So, choose Farm Credit and our team of experts to help you plan for success.  If you have any questions, tweet me @KellyBailey1103 or give us a call at 888-339-3334.

SERIES: The Experts in Our Field ft. Crop Insurance

Choose MAFC for Your Crop Insurance Needs, Part 1

By: Kelly Bailey, crop insurance specialist

Hello, again!  I knew you would come back today to learn about why you should partner with MAFC for your crop insurance needs.  Since selecting your crop insurance agent is an important business decision that could impact your operation for years to come, you want to select someone who knows the industry and can keep up with the changes in the program that could impact your coverage.  We can do just that! Here are a few reasons why we are the experts in our field:

1. Our crop insurance department has been meeting farmer’s needs for over 25 years. How? We make sure your acreage and production reports are completed accurately and on time.  Also, we help our customers determine the best coverage for their individual needs.
2. Our agents have agricultural backgrounds, so they understand your concerns.  Teresa, Jordan, Jason, Kathi and I all grew up on farms varying to and from dairy, orchard, grain, and cattle operations.
3. We only sell crop insurance. This means we can devote as much time as necessary to keep up with industry changes, and make sure that our clients’ needs are met.
4. We work with those in our community: The agents at MAFC strive to establish relationships with the local FSA offices, Farm Bureaus, and Extension offices. We believe that by working together, we can help serve our customers more efficiently and provide exceptional service.

Still need more proof that we are the best crop of experts in our field?  Stop by tomorrow as we wrap up our mini-series on the crop insurance department and tell you more about how we’re working to serve you.  If you have any questions, tweet me @KellyBailey1103.

SERIES: The Experts in Our Field ft. Crop Insurance

Here’s All You Need to Know (about crop insurance, that is!)

By: Kelly Bailey, crop insurance specialist

So, you want to know what crop insurance is, why you need it, or how it came to be?  Let me share my thoughts with you.

The Federal Crop Insurance Program was first established in 1938, but due to the Crop Insurance Reform Act of 1994 which increased the demand for program participation, it became necessary for farmers to rely on private insurance companies for their crop insurance needs.  And we figured, who better to fill that need than an ag expert like Farm Credit?

Crop insurance is part of the Farm Bill (which is an agriculture hot topic right now) and as those programs, policies, and procedures change, crop insurance changes with it.  We lobby to make sure the changes don’t decrease your coverage when faced with crop loss.

Last year, there were 264 million acres of farmland protected through crop insurance. But, I bet you’re really wondering how such a large program impacts the local agricultural industry, right?  Well, in Maryland alone there were just over 900,000 acres of farmland insured and over $26 million was paid to the farmers in indemnities for both production and/or revenue losses. In Delaware, crop insurance protected $145 million of liability, with $8.8 million being paid to farmers for indemnities.

• So, you want to know why you need crop insurance and how it can benefit you? Consider this:
• Crop insurance makes sure you don’t suffer losses due to price or natural disaster.
• The programs are customizable to meet your individual needs and help protect you against revenue or production losses.
• Crop insurance can help with your marketing plans when it comes to settling forward contracts.
• Producers receive indemnities in a timely manner.
• Loan collateral – helps you increase your borrowing capacity. 

I think I’ve told you all you need to know (to get started), but do you want to know more? Visit farmcreditcropinsurance.com or tweet me @KellyBailey1103.  See you tomorrow to discuss why you should choose MAFC for your crop insurance needs.

SERIES: The Experts in Our Field ft. Crop Insurance

Meet the Experts, Part 2

At Farm Credit, we realize the risks you face each day and are here to help.  That’s why we’re expanding our crop insurance department to cover all of our territory.  We’ve also brought a couple new faces on board to help us serve you better.  So, without further a due, say “hello” to our crop insurance sales representatives:

Steve Grant.  Steve has been at Farm Credit for 35 years where he sells and services crop insurance in the Valley and Virginia territory.  He likes that insurance is reliable when the unfortunates of crop loss does happen.  Outside of work, he enjoys woodworking.

Jason Wisecarver.  Jason has worked for Farm Credit for 5 years.  Recently, he joined the department to sell and service crop insurance to the MidMD and Valley regions.  He loves giving farmers a little peace of mind, in good times and bad.  In his spare time, he likes to hunt, fish, and farm with his family.

Jordan Risser.  Jordan is new to Farm Credit and will be servicing and selling crop insurance in the Penn region.  He is really excited to get out there and help farmers manage their risks.  Outside of work, he enjoys farming, hunting, camping, and vacationing.

Now that you’ve met our whole department, tomorrow Kelly Bailey will be discussing the basics of crop insurance and why it is crucial for your farming operation.

SERIES: The Experts in Our Field ft. Crop Insurance

Meet the Experts, Part 1

You know the old saying – if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.  And as farmers, you know nothing could be truer when it comes to your farming operation.  Risk management is a factor that all farmers face, but crop insurance could be your golden answer.  Let us introduce you to our crop insurance department:

                                    

Tom Truitt, senior vice president of Valley region and crop insurance department.  Tom has been here for 19 years and likes taking on new challenges and capitalizing on opportunities.  At home, you can find him running, travelling, or spending time with his family.

Kathi Levan, our crop insurance manager.  Kathi has worked at Farm Credit for 12 years and is responsible for supervising and managing the department members.  She believes in forming relationships with customers to become trusted partners.  In her spare time, she enjoys quilting and reading.

Teresa Gleockler, crop insurance specialist.  Teresa has been servicing current crop insurance customers for 5 years.  She loves working with farmers to help them understand the workings of their policies.  Outside of work, you can find her spending time with her daughters.

Kelly Bailey, crop insurance specialist.  Alongside Teresa, she has been servicing current crop insurance customers for 1.5 years.  She thinks it’s a great feeling to help customers with risk management.  In her spare time, she likes to travel and spend time with her family.

Be sure to stop back by tomorrow to meet our crop insurance sales representatives.

MidAtlantic Farm Credit Hires Crop Insurance Representative in Pennsylvania

Kathi Levan, crop insurance manager, has announced the hiring of Jordan Risser as a crop insurance sales representative for MidAtlantic Farm Credit’s Penn region. According to Levan, Risser’s responsibility will be business development and acquiring new crop insurance customers throughout the 15 county territory in southeastern Pennsylvania which makes up the Penn Region.

“The crop insurance industry overall is undergoing considerable changes because of current political and economic realities,” Levan noted. Many farmers and the crop insurance agencies that serve them are finding that keeping up with product changes and complying with new regulations is a complex task.”

MidAtlantic Farm Credit focuses solely on providing agricultural credit to farmers, rural landowners and agribusiness and our insurance agents specialize only in crop insurance products,” she adds. “Because of that, we are able to maintain a high level of expertise and demand for our services is increasing. By having Jordan join our team we will be able to exceed producer needs for risk management advice.”

Jordan grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Lancaster County and comes to Farm Credit with a crop insurance background. “His background in farming and knowledge of crop insurance will be a real asset to current customers as well as developing new business relationships,” Levan says.

Jordan resides in Elizabethtown, PA with his wife and enjoys farming, hunting and camping in his spare time. He is a graduate of Delaware Valley College where he obtained a degree in Agronomy.

About MidAtlantic Farm Credit

MidAtlantic Farm Credit is one of the largest agricultural lenders on the east coast providing credit and crop insurance in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. They are part of the national Farm Credit System, a cooperative lender with more than 500,000 borrowers and a portfolio of over $160 billion.