Recent Cool, Damp Conditions Could Lead to Low Yield, Low Quality Crop
HARRISBURG – Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff is urging Pennsylvania’s wheat producers who suspect they may have a low-yield or low-quality crop this year to contact their crop insurance agent or adjuster immediately so that they can sample for the presence of a mycotoxin that has affected grains in other states.
Wolff said Pennsylvania’s cool and wet conditions this growing season have created an environment where mycotoxins can thrive. The toxins are emitted from certain fungi that remain from previous growing seasons.
“Wheat crops that farmers suspect could be compromised due to the wet growing conditions must be sampled for mycotoxin by a crop insurance adjuster while it’s still in the field, to the extent possible,” said Wolff. “This is a necessary step for producers who have crop insurance to file a claim.
“PDA is working with federal and other state agriculture departments, as well as flour producers and growers within the state to manage this situation,” Wolff added.
For more information about crop insurance in Pennsylvania click here and then “Crop Insurance” under PDA Initiatives.
