Soil erosion caused by wind

Because the right amount of moisture at the right time is not a guarantee, the threat of soil erosion caused by wind is increased in times of drought.

Farmers and ranchers have diligently worked hard to improve farming practices over the years to help conserve top soil. There are resources and additional information from the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Division of Conservation, K-State Research and Extension, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service to further assist landowners in the preservation of top soil from wind erosion.

In some areas of Kansas, emergency tillage of an insured crop to control wind erosion may become necessary. Questions have arisen regarding the impact this practice may have on an insured wheat crop. The Risk Management Agency (RMA) recognizes that in some cases emergency tillage is recommended and beneficial to conserve the soil and minimize further damage to an insured crop. In geographical areas where emergency tillage is a recognized, good farming practice to control severe wind erosion, appraisals are NOT TO BE CHARGED as production to count for acreage tilled to control severe soil erosion when the company can document that such tillage was necessary.

Emergency Tillage

Policyholders need to notify their company immediately of their intention to till acreage for the purpose of controlling soil erosion. If the urgency to till is such that company notification is impossible prior to such action, the efforts of the policyholder to provide immediate notification of the tillage undertaken will be considered in determining the compliance with this requirement.

If the acreage to be tilled is 25% or less of the field or subfield, (accumulative rather than single event), the policyholder can immediately begin tilling upon notifying the agent of such intentions.

If the acreage to be tilled is more than 25% of a field or subfield, or that after tilling is started more than 25% of the field or subfield needs to be tilled, the company must be notified immediately so that such acreage can be inspected prior to tilling.

Insurance companies will need documentation that the emergency tillage was necessary and recommended. Education and Natural Resources Conservation Service information posted on the following site, in addition to advice of agriculture experts, may provide useful information in fulfilling this requirement: http:// www.agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/division-of-conservation/soilerosion-caused-by-wind