Farmers should report crop damage before harvest

HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania farmers with crop insurance are reminded to report any damage before harvesting crops for feed, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said.

"Many of Pennsylvania's crops are under serious drought stress this summer," said Wolff. "Farmers who have purchased crop insurance, and whose crops have suffered damage as a result of the dry weather, should report the damage immediately in order to receive compensation."

Farmers planning to cut or harvest damaged crops for feed should contact an insurance agent to report the damage at least 15 days before harvesting, or within 72 hours of damage discovery. A damaged crop should never be harvested before an insurance adjuster determines the amount of loss. The adjuster must also provide written permission for farmers to leave sample areas of the damaged fields for yield appraisals to be conducted at a later time.

To find a crop insurance agent, visit www.rma.usda.gov. For more information on Pennsylvania's crop insurance program and other risk management opportunities, call 717-787-6041 or visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us and click on "Crop Insurance."