Leading Edge Crop Solutions

10/01/2026

Soybean quality has taken a step backwards here in the last 36 hours. (Mahaska County, IA)

Try to have a harvest plan in place in case you have damaged grain in your tank.

Not all of the damaged soybeans will make it in the grain tank either.

09/30/2026

How does 10% damaged corn grade when selling? Here is some perspective.

My guess is that in a normal year 99% of the corn sold grades as either U.S. No 1 or No 2.

Crop Insurance Quality Adjustment for damaged corn begins at 10.01%. By the U.S. grade standards chart shown that would grade as U.S. No 5 corn.

While we know that the crop quality is less than desired, let’s hope that excessive damage is rare.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/corn-standards

09/29/2026

Clarification: Adjusters are allowed to pull samples from a grain bin if kernel damage is suspected. (Different from Aflatoxin)

However, this becomes tricky if you are storing grain from multiple units in the same bin. Quality adjustments are made independently for each database/unit on the policy.

If you are concerned about quality issues with your crop that is being stored on farm, you should first take a sample to your local elevator for testing. If their test results in excessive damage then a claim should be filed. The adjuster will work with you to get grain samples.

For grain that is sold to a licensed elevator or processor, crop insurance will use the damage results that the elevator determined for that load.

Kernel Damage minimum for Quality Adjustments:
Corn: 10.01%
Soybeans: 8.01%

Important: Just because you have quality damage above these levels does not mean you will qualify for an indemnity. With the Harvest Price expected to be higher than the Spring Price this year-indemnities will only occur if Total Production (or Adjusted Production) is less than your Production Guarantee.

Picture is from 2018

Mike Johnson
[email protected]

09/26/2026

2026 ARC/PLC Thoughts

It’s rare to have 20/20 vision regarding a decision on the farm. This year FSA is offering a rare opportunity to use hindsight when making your 2026 ARC/PLC elections by the December 11 deadline.

It makes sense to elect ARC-County on most of your farms in Iowa due to low PLC price support.

However, if you have specific FSA Farm Numbers with harvested yields less than 90% of its 2020-2024 Olympic Average it will likely be a significant benefit for you to enroll those FSA Farm Numbers in ARC-Individual Coverage.

Reach out to discuss your specific situation.
Mike Johnson
[email protected]

09/25/2026

Did you know that your Multi-Peril Crop Insurance policy has factors for Quality Adjustments such as damage, toxins and molds?

If you are seeing damaged grain, reach out to us to discuss further. Grain with damage above 10.01% on Corn and 8.01% on Soybeans should be documented with a claim. Your crop insurance policy does not address quality concerns below those thresholds.

For crops that gets delivered to an elevator or a processor, crop insurance will take the % Damage that is graded for that load on your settlement sheet. No further samples are needed.

Steps for damaged grain that is stored on-farm:
1. Take a sample to your local elevator and have them grade for damage.

2. If the Damage results from the sample are near or above the minimums listed above, file a claim with your agent and work with your adjuster to obtain grain samples.

3. Samples can come from harvested grain in the field or from a bin. However, a sample has to come from each crop insurance unit with damage. Most bins have grain from multiple units making it tricky to get a sample from a specific unit.

Many of you will have final yields above your production guarantee this year. If that is the case, there will be no indemnity even if you had damage. However, those that have damaged grain above thresholds should still file a claim in order to use Pre Quality Production adjustment totals for APH purposes (allows you to maintain a higher APH yield).

Mike Johnson
Leading Edge Crop Solutions
[email protected]
641-660-0203

09/17/2026

Sep 30 deadline is fast approaching for those interested in 95% MCO (Margin Coverage Option) for 2027.

MCO is a county based policy and is an alternative to ECO. 2027 County Expected Yields for ECO/MCO/SCO have increased throughout Iowa and are shown on the map.

Reach out to us if you want to learn more about MCO.

08/24/2026

Reminder: Cargill Marketing and crop insurance meeting tomorrow in Eddyville. 9am and Noon.

Pre-Harvest Marketing/Crop Insurance Mtg in Eddyville Aug 25. A big Thank You to Cargill for inviting me to speak.

08/18/2026

Pre-Harvest Marketing/Crop Insurance Mtg in Eddyville Aug 25. A big Thank You to Cargill for inviting me to speak.

06/13/2026

Sometimes the agent becomes the insured.

Reminder: Hail claims will start being worked 10 days to 2 weeks after the storm. With a big claim load this year we will all need to practice some patience with the adjusting teams.

Reach out to discuss your situation anytime. Mike

06/12/2026

Yesterday’s Hail Damage maps (estimated). Maps for Mahaska, Marion, Monroe and Lucas Counties.