Please see attached information from USDA-RMA related to Tropical Storm Debby. This was put together by Alex Sereno, who leads the Raleigh Regional office.

In response to Hurricane/Tropical Storm Debby, RMA is sharing the following rules around harvesting storm damaged flue cured tobacco in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

1. If the producer plans to harvest the crop, they can harvest the crop, cure the leaf, and if the cured leaf produces low quality tobacco, the producer can go through the quality adjustment procedure in the policy with TAGS and AMS. The maximum number of pounds eligible for quality adjustment will be equal to the total number of pounds of tobacco on all valid production agreements.
2. If the producer does not plan to harvest the crop, they can contact the AIP and have the crop appraised. Appraisal of unharvested tobacco generally works by counting the number of marketable leaves identified in a representative sample in the field. A marketable leaf is defined as a leaf of sufficient size and quality to be marketed. The producer can use the appraisal as the “production to count” remaining in the field, and if they agree to the appraisal, the producer would not need to harvest or cure the remaining leaves to settle the claim. Specific procedure is contained in the RMA Tobacco Loss Adjustment standards handbook.

Key points to note:

- Quality adjustment is only available on tobacco grown under a valid production agreement. Unless the leaf is cured and graded by AMS, it is not eligible for quality adjustment, so any marketable leaves identified in the appraisal would be considered full value production.

- The insured or their authorized representative should participate in determining the appraisal.

- The insured should not finalize a claim until satisfied with all determinations.

- If additional damage occurs due to an insured COL, the insured can request a re-inspection and new appraisal.

- See section 821 of RMA’s Loss Adjustment Manual for more information on Appraisals

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this information, please contact Sydney Jalali at (252)641-7817.