blog4020

News Flash! ...

2008-06-24T13:40:00.000-07:00

This is Lonnie Sewell with a special crop insurance news flash. The RMA (Risk Management Agency) has just released a bulletin saying the Crop Insurance reporting date has also been moved back to August 15th. This is great news for all of us. Now we will have more time to make decisions about prevent plant and have time for the FSA to certify our acres before making our acreage report. Remember, no other dates have changed. If you are filing prevent plant corn, you must turn in a notice of loss no later than June 30th and for soybeans it's July 15th. No late filed claims will be paid. Also, if you have any kind of a loss, even a replant, they cannot be processed until you have completed your acreage report.

The Sewell Agency, phone 660-646-4020. Your Connection to Crop Protection!

Update! Washington News Release

2008-06-24T12:02:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON, Jun 24, 2008 - RMA has announced it will allow additional time, until Aug 15, 2008, for submitting acreage reports for all 2008 crop year spring-seeded acreage in areas impacted by flooding and extreme weather conditions, because of the difficulty in timely reporting due to disruptions in communications and other important infrastructure.

This additional time applies to spring-seeded crop acreage for all counties in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

"Insured producers are still encouraged to report acreage at their earliest opportunity," said RMA Administrator Eldon Gould. "This is because claims cannot be completed until acreage reports have been filed and liability established."

Producers are encouraged to contact their crop insurance agent for more information.

* The preceding was taken in whole from the Dept. of Agriculture RMA webpage (rma.usda.gov/news/2008/06/acreagereports.html)

Dates & Requirements for Crop Insurance

2008-06-23T09:09:00.000-07:00

This is Lonnie Sewell with this week's crop insurance update, brought to you by the Sewell Agency and ASI Crop Hail Insurance.

Do you ever remember a planting season with so many different challenges? I'm not sure I do.

I am going to go over some dates and requirements we don't want to forget this Spring.

If you have unplanted land that was going to corn, you need to turn in a prevent plant claim before June 30th.
If you are trying to claim prevent plant corn and then plant soybeans, which over all I don't think is a good idea, be sure you have a good understanding of all the dates, rules and penalties. As soon as you finish planting, go to the FSA and certify your acres. Then, report to your crop insurance agent. His report date has not been extended.
Any beans planted after June 20th, keep a daily log so you can minimize your guarantee reduction.

Remember, when reporting plant dates, you only report the original plant date on a replant. If you replant after June 20th, there is no reduction.

For more information, contact the Sewell Agency in Chillicothe or phone 660-646-4020.

Your Connection to Crop Protection!

2008-04-07T14:27:00.000-07:00

Hi! This is Tanya Stimpson with this week’s crop insurance update. This week’s topic is New Breaking, Preventive Plant and Replant issues and brought to you by the Sewell Agency in Chillicothe.
A reminder to all farmers that if you are planting any ground that is now in pasture or hay you need to go to your agent’s office and fill out a acceptance for the breaking of new ground. You will also need to visit with the FSA office. You need to do this prior to planting the new ground.

A replanting reminder; if you need to replant any of your crops you need to call your agent prior to replanting the ground. There could be problems with payment if the call does not happen before.

If by chance you can not plant corn by June 5th or Soybeans by June 20th then you may qualify for Preventive Plant. PP pays you 60% of your guarantee and is based off of the last 4 years highest acreage you have planted in one year.

If we can help you with your crop insurance needs phone 800 281 4020 your connection to crop protection.

2008-02-14T12:30:00.001-08:00

Hi! This is Tanya Stimpson with this week’s crop insurance update. This week’s topic is ’07 Production Reports, New Applications or changes and new Breaking and brought to you by the Sewell Agency in Chillicothe.
If you have not turned in you 07 productions to your agent you need to do so as soon as possible. Your agent is working to give you the best possible service and they need your production to give you accurate quotes for 2008. 2008 pricing is running now and run through Feb 29th. They are running around 12.80 for Soybeans and 5.26 for Corn. Once these are set you have until March 15th to sign up a new policy for crop insurance or change any current crop insurance policy. Another reminder, if you have any ground you are taking out of pasture or hay, you need to tell you insurance agent and visit with FSA as soon as possible to insure the ground will be covered.
Sewell Agency has moved their 30th Anniversary Consignment Auction to March 31st. Call by March 11th to get in free advertising.
View this update and others online at blog4020.blogspot.com. If we can help you with your crop insurance needs phone 800 281 4020 your connection to crop protection.

Spring Base Price & Production Reports

2008-01-31T14:16:00.001-08:00

Hi! This is Tanya Stimpson with this week’s crop insurance update. This week’s topic is Spring Base Price and Production Reports and brought to you by The Sewell Agency in Chillicothe.
Feb 1 was the starting time on keeping track of spring prices for Corn & Soybeans. For Soybeans they use the Feb Average of the November Futures and For Corn They use the Feb Average of the December Futures. At the end of Feb first of March they will release to us what our Spring Base price for Corn and soybeans will be. Then you have until March 15th to sign up for a new policy or change an existing Policy.
Before all of this spring excitement hits, your agents need your 2007 Corn and soybean production history turned in so they can give you accurate quotes for your 2008 insurance. So call or come by today to turn those productions in.
The Sewell Auction Service will be conducting a farm consignment auction Monday March 3rd so call us today to consign any items you may want to sell at this Farm Auction. View this update and others online at blog4020.blogspot.com. If we can help you with your crop insurance needs phone 800 281 4020 your connection to crop protection.

week # 27

2007-11-08T09:42:00.000-08:00

Hi! This is Tanya Stimpson with this week’s crop insurance update. This week’s topic is Wheat acreage report and spring crop production reports due and brought to you by The Sewell Agency in Chillicothe.
Now that everyone is finished planting wheat it is time for you to come in and see me. I need your Wheat acreage reports by the end of November. You need to report to FSA and then bring me your FSA 578 form. The acres and dates we report need to match what the FSA report has.
The next thing you need to be getting to your insurance agent is the production on your 2007 harvest. Your agent needs you soybeans, corn and Milo yields to update your production history. This helps you get ready for your 2008 spring crop year.
Also we will be having our next machinery consignment auction Monday Dec 3rd at Rafter C 8 miles west of Chillicothe. If you have items to sell give us a call or go on our website at sewellauction.com. This is usually one of our largest auctions. For more information call 800-281-4020 your connection to crop protection.

Week#26 -

2007-10-31T13:34:00.000-07:00

This is Lonnie Sewell with this week’s crop insurance update. Favorable weather has allowed the combines to roll. Several people starting to finish and several acres of wheat being planted. Remember Oct 31 is the final date to get the full guarantee. We get a 1% reduction per day after Nov 1.
Don’t forget to turn in your yields for the 2007 Crops. Then if you have questions about 2008 costs or guarantees, your agent will have the information they need to give you an accurate quote. Also we will be having our next machinery consignment auction Monday Dec 3rd at Rafter C 8 miles west of Chillicothe. If you have items to sell give us a call or go on our website at sewellauction.com. This is usually one of our largest auctions. For more information call 800-281-4020 your connection to crop protection.

Week#25 Important Dates for Wheat

2007-10-25T12:39:00.000-07:00

Hi! This is Tanya Stimpson with this week’s crop insurance update. This week’s topic is important dates for Wheat policies and brought to you by The Sewell Agency in Chillicothe.
October 31st is the last day to plant wheat. You can plant after this day with 1% penalty on your yield guarantee per day late. So example you plant November 5th you will loss 5% of your guarantee.
November 30th is the last day to report your wheat acres to your agent. You do need to report to FSA first and then go to your agent and report. All this needs to be into the agent by the last day of November. So go ahead and report as soon as you are done harvesting. The rainy days are perfect for taking care of your insurance needs.
November 30th is also the last day to turn in a request to do sod breaking. Meaning if you have a pasture or some land that has not been farmed, besides CRP, and you have decided to farm it, you have to ask for insurance on that land prior to reporting acres. This is a form you need to sign and we send into RMA for approval and they send back. So it does take time so if you have planned on doing some sod breaking, visit with your agent to get this started.
Just a small note about spring crops, once you are done harvesting, get your agent your yields as soon as possible.
View this update and others online at blog4020.blogspot.com or call 800-281-4020 your connection to crop protection.

Week#24 Rain Delays

2007-10-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

This is Lonnie Sewell with the Sewell Agency in Chillicothe bringing you this week’s crop insurance update.
Rain delays have slowed harvest, and are preventing wheat planting. You might take this time to review scale tickets on crops you have harvested and any units close to having a bushel loss should be turned in for a potential revenue loss.
If you have a Revenue Policy, an easy way to see if you have a loss is to multiply your harvested bushel X $4.06 for corn and $8.09 for soybeans. Then compare that to your summary of coverage on that unit.
The Harvest Price has not been set yet but corn will most likely be lower than the $4.06 that was set this spring. That means we could pickup a few dollars even if we met our bushel Guarantee.
Wheat planting – we lose 1% per day guarantee after 10-31. Be sure to record daily planting after 10-31 to minimize your guarantee reduction.View this and other Crop Insurance update online at blog4020@blogspot.com. If we can help you with your crop insurance needs phone 800 281 4020 your connection to crop protection.

Week # 23 Claims and Harvesting

2007-10-12T12:08:00.001-07:00

Hi! This is Tanya Stimpson with this week’s crop insurance update. This week’s topic is Spring Crop Claims and Harvesting, brought to you by The Sewell Agency in Chillicothe.
Most of you are almost done harvesting your corn and have started on your beans by now. Even with the dry weather we received this summer all crops seem to be yielding better than expectations. But there are some corn and bean losses out there. If you should suspect that your yield is low and you have a loss call your agent and get it turned in. The adjusters will work with you to figure whether you do or not. They would like for your claims to be turned in 15 days after your harvest so they can get started on your claim work. The sooner you can get it into me the sooner they can get it finished so in turn the sooner you get paid.
If you are done with your corn harvest, I suggest that on any wet days you have, gather your yields and call them into your agent so your production history yields can be updated. This also gives us opportunity to help figure if you might be close to a claim. The adjuster does have the final say but if you are close we can defiantly turn it in.
View this update and others online at blog4020.blogspot.com or call 800-281-4020 your connection to crop protection.

Week # 22 Wheat Planting and Spring Crop Harvesting

2007-10-05T12:36:00.000-07:00

Hi! This is Tanya Stimpson with this week’s crop insurance update. This week’s topic is Wheat Planting and Spring Crop Harvesting brought to you by the Sewell Agency in Chillicothe.
As a lot of you were signing up for Wheat Insurance last month the questions mostly asked were “When is the last day to plant wheat and when do I have to let you know”. I looked up the answers for that and for the last day to plant wheat without penalty is October 31. Of Course you are still able to plant wheat after that day but you will receive a 1% penalty per day late. You need to have your wheat acres reported to me by November 30th. There is no late day lea way on this deadline. When you come into give me your acreage report you need to first go to FSA and report them there and bring me your certified FSA 578 form. I do recommend as soon as you are done planting go to FSA and report and then go ahead and come in here for me to update your policies. That gives us more time to fix errors if they come about.
You are probably wondering now where the harvest price is going to land for your corn and beans insurance. If you carry the CRC coverage on spring crops; Soybeans are running around $9.50 and Corn is running at $3.51, these prices will finalize at the end of October and will be anounce around November 15th. The RA coverage on spring crops will start running in November and be announced around December 15th.
View this update and others online at blog4020.blogspot.com or call 800-281-4020 your connection to crop protection.

Week #21 Harvesting and reviewing coverage levels.

2007-10-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

This is Lonnie Sewell with this week’s crop insurance update, brought to you by the Sewell Agency in Chillicothe committed to informing farmers about crop insurance.
Well I finished with my corn harvest last week and it was better than I thought it would be. I hope most of you found the same. Soybeans are turning fast several acres being harvested now. If you have any units close to your insurance guarantee, be sure and turn in a claim. If you don’t have a claim it can be withdrawn later.
Wheat signup has passed; I hope you took the time to review your coverage levels. 70% RA was the most popular option this year because of the $1.50 per bushel limits on CRC and the large spread between cash wheat and the July 2008 futures. RA or Revenue Assurance looked to be the best.
View this update and others online at Blog4020.blogspot.com. If you have crop insurance questions call Tanya or myself at the Sewell Agency phone 800 281 4020 your connection to crop protection.

Week 20 - Wheat Insurance Sign UP

2007-09-21T11:28:00.000-07:00

Hi! This is Tanya Stimpson with this week’s crop insurance update. This week’s topic is Wheat Insurance Signup brought to you by AgriServe Crop Hail Insurance and the Sewell Agency in Chillicothe.
This is the last week to sign up for Wheat Insurance or change your current policy.
Wheat carries a revenue product that was set at $5.88 per bushel. If you sign up for revenue product you get to take advantage of at claim time receiving the higher price of the set base price and the harvest price. For example base price is set at $5.88 but come harvest time, harvest price reaches $7.00 then on loss purposes you receive the $7.00 price. On the flip side if harvest price is $3.00 then because you carry the revenue insurance product you will receive the $5.88 base price at loss time.
If you already have Wheat Insurance and would like to change to a revenue product you have until Sept 30th also. Come by and I can give you a quote comparison between the product you have now and a revenue product, so you can see the guarantee and price difference. With crop prices moving regularly it is a good idea to switch or add a revenue insurance product to your wheat.
Again, Sept 30th is the final day to sign up for wheat insurance. View this update and others online at blog4020.blogspot.com. If you would like a quote, to make a change or add wheat insurance come by and see me or call 800-281-4020 your connection to crop protection.

Week#19 Wheat Insurance and Corn Claims

2007-09-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

Hi! This is Tanya Stimpson with this week’s crop insurance update. This week’s topic is Wheat Insurance and Corn Claims and brought to you by AgriServe Crop Hail Insurance and the Sewell Agency in Chillicothe.
The Deadline is September 30th for signing up for Wheat Insurance. Wheat prices are good and we have the insurance to help you protect your investment. The wheat insurance carries a revenue product that on claim situations you get paid the better of the 2 prices. The 2 prices I am talking about are the base price the insurance locks in and the harvest price. Today the base price is running 5.88 so at harvest, if price is higher you will receive the higher price, if price is lower, you will receive the base price.
If you think there is a chance you are going to plant wheat you can sign up for a wheat policy and be covered for your winter wheat, and if you do not plant wheat it does not cost you anything for the open policy.
You are harvesting corn now and if you think you are going to have a claim give your agent a call and turn it in now so the adjusters can go ahead and work that claim. Just a reminder Wheat Insurance Deadline is September 30th so please give myself or Lonnie a call at 800-281-4020 or stop by the office.

Week #18 Deadlines for claims and wheat policies

2007-09-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

This is Lonnie Sewell with this week’s crop insurance update and brought to you by the Sewell Agency and ASI Crop Hail Insurance.
Harvest has started on corn in many areas several reports of 75-150 bushel. If you have a yield close to your guarantee, call in a claim now. (RMA) Risk Management Agency is getting very tough on the Loss notices. You only have 15 days after harvest or the discovery of the loss which ever comes first to turn the loss in. This early corn could slip past the deadline if you wait until after bean harvest to report your losses. Don’t risk having a claim put in review status. Just call your agent. Harvest Price may come in lower than the spring price this would give you a slightly higher bushel guarantee.
Wheat projected price is set from the average of Aug 15 to Sept 14. It is running at $5.86 so far.
September 30th is the deadline to make changes on your wheat policy. The revenue products look very good this year. CRC uses the CBT and RA uses the KCBT, this can make a lot of difference in some years. We would like to help you with your crop insurance questions. Call Tanya or myself at the Sewell Agency in Chillicothe, Phone 800-281-4020 your connection to crop protection.

Week # 17 Wheat Insurance

2007-08-31T08:17:00.000-07:00

Hi! This is Tanya Stimpson with this week’s crop insurance update. This week’s topic is Wheat Insurance, Wheat Yields and brought to you by AgriServe Crop Hail Insurance and the Sewell Agency in Chillicothe.
Wheat yields are due to your agent now. Your agent wants to give you the most accurate quote on your wheat insurance cost for the 2008 year. But to do so they need your 2007 wheat yields turned in.
If you do not carry wheat insurance now but would like to, gather any past production history you have and bring it to us and we can give you some quotes to help you get the best insurance on your wheat. You have until September 30th to do this so don’t wait come in today to get signed up.
There are 2 types of insurance products, APH & Revenue. The APH product guarantees the yield of your crop. The Revenue product guarantees the yield plus the price. So with the price of wheat today I suggest you highly consider the Revenue products for your 2008 Wheat. If you would like to change your insurance product you need to do so by September 30th.
Just a reminder your soybeans could still receive some hail damage so call us to insure those beans for the remainder of the summer. View this update and others online at Blog4020.blogspot.com. Or phone the Sewell Agency at 660-646-4020 your connection to crop protection.

Week #15 Wheat coverage, Yield Reporting and Corn Silage

2007-08-17T09:23:00.000-07:00

Hi! This is Tanya Stimpson with this week’s crop insurance update. This week’s topic is Wheat Insurance Coverage, Wheat Yield reporting and corn silage and brought to you by AgriServe Crop Hail Insurance and the Sewell Agency in Chillicothe.
Now that you have your wheat out of the field it is time to get those yields reported to your agent and update your APH for next years wheat insurance. If you do not have wheat insurance coverage NOW is the time to come in and sign up for that. The deadline on applying for wheat coverage or changing your current wheat coverage is September 30th. With crop prices fluctuating daily you should consider having the Revenue products for your crop insurance. This allows a guarantee on the APH and the price of the crop.
If you have decided to chop some of your corn for silage it is important that you contact your agent prior to that so you can get credit for the production towards your APH units.
Don’t forget to cover your crops from hail for a few dollars per acre. Most of our crops have done well so don’t lose your profit per a hail storm.
Phone the Sewell Agency at 660-646-4020 your connection to crop protection.

Week # 10 - Optional Units

2007-08-14T12:28:00.001-07:00

This is Lonnie Sewell with this week’s crop insurance update, brought to you by the Sewell Agency and AgriServe crop Hail Insurance.
Spotty rain, some are getting it and some need it. This week’s topic is optional units.
Crop insurance allows for only a 10% rate increase you can divide basic units into optional units section by section which usually doubles your chance to qualify for a loss. If you aren’t using optional units, you are not maximizing your crop insurance. Start now to qualify for optional units, turn in your wheat yields section by section, then you won’t have to average a good field with a poor one in another section next year, and you will be better protected against spotty rain. Optional units are not available on a cat policy.
Don’t forget to protect your crops with economical crop hail insurance. ½ bushel to the acre will cover the whole crop. Stop by and visit with Tanya or I at our booth at the New Livingston County Fairgrounds. The Fair starts July 18th and is northwest of Chillicothe on Rt 190. View this update and others online at Blog4020.blogspot.com. Or call The Sewell Agency 1-800-281-4020 your connection to Crop Protection.

Week #14 Hot & Dry

2007-08-14T12:27:00.001-07:00

This is Lonnie Sewell with this week’s crop insurance update brought to you by the Sewell Agency and ASI Crop Hail Insurance.
Hot and dry that’s the forecast. It is very difficult to watch a great crop turn into a fair crop and soon a poor crop. Looks like a lot of double crop soybeans won’t be harvested.
The revenue crop insurance policies like RA & CRC implemented a few years ago really shined this year, with the wheat harvest price coming in at over $6 per bushel. That added up to an additional $60 per acre on most wheat losses.
The spring price on corn is $4.06 and beans at $8.09. We have good protection against the declining prices we are getting now. If you have a loss this fall or had a loss because of the flood your loss will be paid based on the highest of the spring price or the harvest price.
Vie this information and others at Blog4020.blogspot.com.

Week # 13 - Wheat Harvest Price, Your Claims and Wheat Yields

2007-08-02T08:54:00.001-07:00

Hi! This is Tanya Stimpson with this week’s crop insurance update. This week’s topic is Wheat harvest price, your early claims, Wheat Yields and brought to you by AgriServe Crop Hail Insurance and the Sewell Agency in Chillicothe.
The Harvest price for Wheat turned out very favorable it landed at $6.02. Which means if you had wheat claim early this spring and was paid on the $4.52 price then the insurance company will come back and pay you the difference which will be $1.50 per bushel more coming to you. If your loss has not been paid then your claim will be worked on the $6.02 price.
Now that you have harvested your wheat it is time for you to report those yields to your agent. Do it now while you still have your tickets out and it is fresh on your mind. Now is also the time to adjust your coverage on your wheat policies and purchase wheat coverage if you have none at this time. But you need to come in and sign up for a wheat policy.
Don’t forget about your spring crops, come in and sign up for a hail policy that will cover those crops for a few dollars an acre.
Phone the Sewell Agency at 660-646-4020 your connection to crop protection.

Week 12 - WHEAT YIELDS AND REVIEWING COVERAGE SCHEDULES

2007-07-31T07:11:00.000-07:00

This is Lonnie Sewell, crop insurance agent, with this week’s update, brought to you by Sewell Agency and ASI Crop-Hail ins.

This week we have several topics-The 1st one is wheat yield reporting. Do it now while it is fresh on your mind. Also, review your insurance coverage schedules when you get them back from your company. It is a lot easier to correct now than in the fall if you have a loss. A small error now could be costly later.

Wildlife damage -Did you know that wildlife damage is covered. If you have one of those fields that deer, turkey, and other animals just riddle, you may be eligible for a loss payment. However, livestock damage is not a payable loss, nor is chemical damage. In those cases the responsible party should pay.

Disaster Program-Sign up for the 2005-2006 spring crop and 2007 wheat Crop Disaster program. – Sign up may start in late August.

Don’t forget to protect those expensive crops with some inexpensive crop-hail insurance from ASI.

View all the crop updates online at Blog4020.Bogspot.com or call 800-281-4020, your connection to crop protection.

Week # 11 - Acreage Reports / Double Crop Beans / Wheat Yields

2007-07-19T13:50:00.000-07:00

Hi! This is Tanya Stimpson with this week’s crop insurance update. This week’s topic is verifying your acreage report, double crop beans, and Wheat yields and brought to you by AgriServe Crop Hail Insurance and the Sewell Agency in Chillicothe.
Now that you have reported all of your acres to your agent be sure and take a look at the completed form they will send out to you when they have entered that information into their database. If there is an error it will be easier to fix now than in the fall.
If you have some double crop beans, they are not insurable through the multi-peril insurance but you can insure them on a hail policy. That would give you some protection and would only cost a few dollars per acre. So be sure you protect all of your crops from those hail storms including your double crop beans.
It is time for you to report your wheat yields to your insurance agent and a reminder if you keep grain for seed, be sure and add that to your yield before giving to your agent.
View this update and others online at blog4020.blogspot.com. Or phone the Sewell Agency at 660-646-4020 your connection to crop protection.

PREVENTIVE PLANTING

2007-07-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

Wanted to give a quick update. Preventive Planting! If you have any preventive planting acres of corn or soybeans you have to report those claims to your insurance agent on or before acreage reporting date which is July 15th. So be sure you get your crops reported and any possible preventive planting reported to your agent and FSA as soon as possible.

Week #9 Wheat yields and Crop Reporting

2007-07-04T09:20:00.000-07:00

Hi! This is Tanya Stimpson with this week’s crop insurance update. This week’s topic is Wheat yield, claims and crop reporting and brought to you by AgriServe Crop Hail Insurance and the Sewell Agency in Chillicothe.
Many farmers are in the fields harvesting wheat and with that comes reporting those yields to your insurance agent. If your yield is averaging close to your guarantee you could still possibly have a claim because of test weight. So if you think you are close, call us and let the adjuster determine if you qualify for a loss.
Some farmers after harvesting wheat will plant soybeans, this is called double crop. Be sure when you report to FSA and your insurance agent you inform them of any double cropping, preventive planting, or a crop after a failed crop.
You work hard for your crops, don’t let a terrible hail storm come through and ruin them, protect your investment with a few dollars an acre of hail coverage from Agriserve Crop Hail Insurance.
Reminder you still need to have all of your crops reported to your agent by July 15, so you have this week to report to FSA and then to your agent. Here at Sewell Agency, we will be extending our hours this week from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm to help you report to us.
View this update and others online at Blog4020.blogspot.com. Or phone the Sewell Agency at 660-646-4020 your connection to crop protection.