For crop insurance purposes, the farmer’s risk is based on ten years of production history. With the significant quality losses in wheat, Dickinson farmer Ed Kessel says there are long-term ramifications. “I could have a 60 bushel crop out there, but RMA reduces the crop down to 30 bushels due to quality. It is a horrible issue especially for younger farmers that don’t have proven yields that high. There’s some farmers that will make the decision to take a small payment and lose this yield or do I carry this yield forward and have it for the next ten years.” Kessel highlighted this issue when meeting with state and federal officials on Friday at Argusville, North Dakota.
