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Wheat damaged? Get it appraised

Farmers walking their wheat fields assessing any damage to the crop from the latest round of cold temperatures are being reminded that before doing anything it would be a good idea to call their crop insurance agent.

“They must have an appraisal done on the wheat crop before any chopping, any mowing of the wheat, or any tillage work, or tillage pass must be appraised for yield purposes,” said Ryan Fennig with Fennig-Homan Agribusiness at Coldwater, Ohio. “If there is a potential claim that’s how we figure their claim payment, is off that appraisal.”

Audio: Ryan Fennig, Fennig-Homan Agribusiness (1:30 mp3)

Ed Lentz, Extension educator in Hancock County (Northwest Ohio) recommends giving the crop a chance before making that final decision on what to do with the crop.

“I think we’re really jumping the gun if we’re trying to assess what we anticipate from spring tiller growth and other things,” Lentz said. “We just haven’t had the heat units to have a good evaluation.”

Lentz is not expecting any serious damage to wheat from the latest cold temperatures.

Audio: Ed Lentz, Extension educator, Hancock Co. Ohio (3:45 mp3)