Crop insurance reminders for those affected by aflatoxin

[September 20, 2012]  SPRINGFIELD -- Aflatoxin has been reported in several Midwest states. If you think your corn has aflatoxin, notify your crop insurance agent before you harvest the grain, put it in storage or deliver it for sale.

If your crop is rejected by an elevator due to aflatoxin, contact your insurance agent immediately. Your insurance provider will take samples and submit them to an approved testing facility. Producers cannot take their own samples.

Aflatoxin levels can increase in storage. Therefore, losses are insurable only if the grain is tested at an approved testing facility before being moved into commercial or on-farm storage. Depending on the aflatoxin level, the corn price may be discounted or, in rare cases, the grain will need to be destroyed.

Brian D. Frieden, director of the Springfield office of USDA's Risk Management Agency, urges all producers to contact their insurance agent with any questions concerning aflatoxin. Your crop insurance agent can provide you with additional information specific to your needs.

For a list of approved testing facilities and salvage grain buyers, visit http://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/fields/il_rso/.

[Text from file received from USDA Risk Management Agency, Springfield]