Crop damage assessments continue in Iowa

by | Aug 13, 2020 | 5 Ag Stories, News

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig provided a brief update on ag-related damages Wednesday afternoon.

The secretary spent most of the day observing crop damage in Greene, Carroll, Calhoun, and Story counties along with ISU Extension field agronomist Meaghan Anderson and assistant professor of agronomy Mark Licht.

?We saw a variety of damage,? Naig said. ?I know a lot of folks have a lot of questions around what the crop looks like. We?ve seen everything from crop that?s completely flat, to crop that?s bent over, and to everything in between. Some of it all in the same field. This will truly be a situation where we have to wait and see what the next few days and weeks bring. Ultimately, when folks get into the field this Fall, we will know the full extent.?

For now, Naig reminds farmers whose crops and operations were impacted by the derecho to begin having crop insurance conversations.

?Well over 90 percent of Iowa farmers carry crop insurance. That?s good news,? Naig said. ?There is a well-defined process to have that crop adjusted and then have coverage levels applied. That?s not something that ever makes a farmer whole, but it is an important safety net, an important risk management tool, and a lot of folks will be dealing with those and working through that process.?

Naig adds it has been heartbreaking to see the impact on crops, stored grain, as well as buildings and other farm infrastructure.

?I think folks are starting to work through and think about all of the things they have to do to put a game plan together for harvest,? Naig said. ?There?s a lot of complications around that.?

Early estimates indicate 10 million crop acres were impacted by the derecho. Naig said some of the corn that was flattened could make a comeback, but that it?s too early to tell how much of it can be harvested.