Courtesy of Washington State University

Courtesy of Washington State University

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reminds growers who have federal crop insurance and have suffered weather-related damage to their crops this season that they must keep their insurance companies informed. Growers must have written consent from their insurance companies before destroying or abandoning any of the insured crop that is not harvested.

If the crop will not be harvested, the grower needs to inform the insurance company at least three days before harvest would normally begin. The grower might be required to harvest a representative sample for appraisal.

If damage is noticed during harvest, the grower should provide notice within three days of discovering the damage.

If any production will be direct marketed, the grower must notify the insurance company at least 15 days beforehand.

All notices made by phone or in person must be confirmed in writing within 15 days.

Timely notices of damage and loss adjustment are extremely important for cherries because of their perishable nature. If the grower loses revenue, but not production, on cherries, the grower must notify the insurance company no later than March 1 following harvest.

For more information, contact your crop insurance agent.