Crop Insurance Calendar

Mark does a great job explaining all the changes and any new options in the crop insurance world from year to year.

Mark Klett uses GreenStone’s exclusive crop insurance analysis tool, Optimum, to present options to his customers. Using this special resource GreenStone has available for its crop insurance customers, he can review and compare the vast array of available options to generate a customized, data-driven recommendation for each farm’s specific needs. “Farmers are looking at types of policies, levels of coverage, and different options,” Mark said. “Since there are multiple levels of everything, it can get complicated. Optimum allows me to lay out the data for farmers, so we can compare the policies, narrow down our choices, and make decisions – basically, select the optimum choice.” Mark Zacharda also appreciates the policy assessment through Optimum and enjoys working with GreenStone on improving his coverage. “Mark does a great job explaining all the changes and any new options in the crop insurance world from year to year,” he said. “Mark introduced me to ECO and SCO, which have bigger premiums, but you get increased coverage. I’ve been thinking more lately about biting the bullet on these crop insurance premiums and taking advantage of the new programs to have that peace of mind.” For instance, Mark’s farm had a soybean field hit by a hailstorm in 2021. There was so much damage that they replanted, but the beans got too much rain, and the replanted ones didn’t have enough time to fully grow. “On that field, we’ll get maybe 20 bushels an acre,” Mark said. “The damage caused a poor yield. So then with crop insurance – I don’t like paying for it, but I feel very reassured having that backup. When you break down your costs per acre, insurance has become one of those costs you just have to factor in. With the changes in weather pattens and the volatility in the markets, a farming operation just has to have crop insurance - it’s become a no-brainer. There are so many levels and programs, with a good agent and experience, each farmer can find where the sweet spot is for crop insurance.” Mark sees the recent weather extremes as another reason to explore his crop insurance options. For instance, the margin protection programs offer increased backup. “Mark Klett called it ECO on steroids,” Mark said. “With all the volatility in the world, including pandemics and climate change, the extremes we’re dealing with more and more are even more of a reason to take a look at enhanced crop insurance.” Crop insurance specialist Mark Klett has been working with the Zacharda family for years. “Mark Zacharda is one of the more analytical customers I have,” he said. “He always takes notes when we meet, asks questions, and keeps himself up to date. He understands that crop insurance isn’t just an expense – it’s a tool to help him.”

Sustainable future

The Zachardas farm approximately 1350 acres and grow soybeans, corn, wheat, and hay. On their intergenerational farm, Mark is focused on taking measures to become even more sustainable. “Over time, we’ve made some changes,” Mark said. “We participate in Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) programs through the USDA. We’ve put in filter strips and field borders to be a buffer between the field nutrients and the water, we’ve planted habitat areas and trees. Also, we concentrate on soil testing and following the recommendations after analysis. We have been an environmentally verified farm for our cropping system through NRCS since 2014.” The farm recently started using a yield and moisture monitor in their combine to put together yield maps. “It makes you wonder why you even put seed and fertilizer in certain parts,” Mark joked. “Really, it really helps you make better decisions about your inputs and where best to use them.”

“I could work in the office all day long, looking at projections, evaluating how much profit we could make, analyzing data … but I don’t have time,” Mark said. “My wife, daughters and I like to spend our time together during the farm’s off season - skiing, snowmobiling, sledding.” ■

JANUARY

15

Fruit Acreage Reports / Yield Reports & Pre-Acceptance Worksheets Due

Final date to sign up or make changes for a Spring 2022 Crop Insurance policy. If you are interested in changing the coverage level, type or need to add a crop, please call your crop insurance specialist to review your options. Any and all changes need to be completed by the March 15th deadline! If a signed application is not returned, your policy will automatically renew at the same level you insured at during the previous year.

Production reporting deadline for Fall 2021 harvested crops. Before you get busy in the field this spring, be sure to have your production reports completed, signed and submitted before the April 29th.

MARCH

15

APRIL

29

* Please note that some dates can vary by County. Please check with your

Crop Insurance Specialist for specific dates if you are unsure.