In the aftermath of the flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ivan, damage assessments are being completed by emergency management officials. To date, damage assessment reports have not been requested for agricultural-type losses.

However, the Federal Emergency Management Agencymay soon request DARs from specific counties.

The Farm Service Agency has been receiving reports of agricultural losses due to the flooding. In some cases, entire fields were flattened, corn that was 8 feet tall now looks like it was trodden by a huge roller.

Other acreage remains standing with production, but is covered by mud and dirt. Produce farmers, in some cases, are finding they cannot market fruit and vegetables that were flooded due to contamination. Argonomists at Penn State have been contacted to provide information to producers.

In addition to production loss, the flood carried a significant amount of debris that was deposited on farmland. Access roads, waterways and conservation practices were damaged or destroyed by some farms.

Really, it seems to depend on where the farm is located with regard to the amount of damage. If a stream was not in close proximity, damage could be minimal.

The question we have been receiving the most is: "What help is available?"

For crop losses, if insured, contact your crop insurance agent.

For crop losses not insured, contact our office and request a crop appraisal if acreage will not be harvested. If you are harvesting damaged acres, contact our office when harvest is complete.

Crop appraisals and bin measurements can be completed for a fee - normally $40. However, all this will do is document the loss and then, if and when a disaster program is enacted, the appraisal will support a disaster claim.

For debris removal, fence replacement and leveling and grading, the Emergency Conservation Program is being requested. ECP is a cost-share program. Farm owners can request ECP now, but no help is available until Congress appropriates funding. For those farms with severe damage, ECP could help. Contact the office at 724-482-8000 for more information.

Corn silage harvest is now in full swing, and with commodity prices below posted county prices, interest in loan-deficiency payments has picked up. It's time for a mini-refresher on LDP options:Storing commodities - Once the commodity is harvested, you can request an LDP until you lose beneficial interest in the commodity. The payment rate is based on the date you apply. You must apply for an LDP using form CCC-633LDP before you sell or feed the crop, as long as there is an LDP rate in effect.The LDP quantity can be measured by the office or certified by you. A measurement service costs $25 for one bin or $30 for two or more. If you are certifying the bushels, be prepared to provide the bin dimensions and the height of the grain if it is farm-stored. Certified quantities are eligible for spot checks.Grain sold directly from the field to a buyer - You must sign a CCC-709 prior to crop harvest. The LDP rate is based upon the date the grain is delivered.Your sales receipts are your documentation. Receipts should include your name and address, the buyer's name, address and phone number, the quantity sold, the date of delivery, the grade, test weight and moisture.The field-direct option also is available to producers who normally dry the grain on the farm and then immediately deliver it to a buyer. The grain may also be in temporary storage on the farm for immediate delivery to the buyer.Grain being fed out during harvest - Chopped corn, for instance, fed out during harvest is still eligible for an LDP. Keep track of the harvest dates and the tonnage chopped.You need to sign a CCC-709 prior to harvest. The LDP rate is based on the dates of harvest. The county committee determines your yield using the whole grain quantity harvested on your farm, three similar farms or their recommendations.You have 60 calendar days after the date of harvest to provide this information to the office. Grazing is not considered "harvested."