Excessive Fall Rainfall, Sprouting & Kernel Damage: What Producers Need to Know
Excessive moisture this fall is creating additional challenges for corn and soybean producers, including sprouting, kernel damage, discoloration and mold. If you are seeing—or are concerned about—quality issues in your crop, there are some important crop insurance requirements and deadlines to keep in mind.
KDL Insurance is aware of these concerns and encourages producers to document potential damage and contact their crop insurance agent as soon as possible if problems are suspected.
Kernel Damage & Quality Adjustment
Kernel damage may qualify for quality adjustment under the RMA Special Provisions.
Current kernel damage discount ranges referenced in the Special Provisions include:
- Corn: 10.01% to 35%
- Soybeans: 8.01% to 35%
For grain being delivered to a local elevator, kernel damage can be determined on a load-by-load basis. The adjuster can gather settlement sheets from the insured and use the applicable RMA discount factors to determine the production-to-count (PTC) for the unit.
Planning to Store the Crop on the Farm?
If you plan to farm-store the crop and are concerned about possible kernel damage, take a sample to your local elevator for testing.
If testing indicates excessive damage, a claim should be filed. An adjuster can then be assigned to determine production for the farm-stored grain.
Mycotoxin Concerns: Sample Before the Grain Goes Into Storage
This is particularly important.
If there are concerns about mycotoxins, samples for testing must be taken before the grain enters storage.
Grades used for quality adjustment must be completed by the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS). Samples should also come from machine-harvested grain rather than hand-shelled samples so they are representative of normal harvest practices.
Keep These Deadlines in Mind
There are also several important timing requirements:
Harvest losses involving a production loss must be reported within 15 days of harvest completion for the unit. Quality samples must be pulled within 60 days of harvest.
Proper grain conditioning is also important once the crop goes into storage. Deterioration that occurs while grain is in storage is not a covered cause of loss.
Have Questions? Contact KDL Insurance
Every situation is a little different. If you're seeing sprouting, mold, kernel damage or other quality concerns this harvest, don't wait until after the crop is in the bin to start asking questions.
Contact KDL Insurance before storing questionable grain so we can help you understand the appropriate steps and make sure necessary testing, documentation and claim reporting are completed on time.
When in doubt, give us a call. We'd much rather have you ask the question before harvest or storage than discover later that an important step was missed.
2026 Quality Adjustment Discount Factors
For additional information, view the 2026 quality adjustment and discount factors for corn and soybeans in Murray County:
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KDL Insurance LLC is committed to helping you find the right coverage mix for your farm.
