Sweetpotato Pilot Insurance Program\
Adjuster Training Manual

![](media/image1.png){width="8.5in" height="5.5in"}

ADJUSTER TRAINING MANUAL

**Table of Contents**

[Introduction 2](#introduction)

[A. Objective of this Training Manual
3](#objective-of-this-training-manual)

[B. Certification Process 3](#certification-process)

[C. Special Instructions 3](#special-instructions)

[D. Distribution of Completed Forms 3](#distribution-of-completed-forms)

[Chapter One: TERMS, ABBREVIATIONS, AND DEFINITIONS
5](#chapter-one-terms-abbreviations-and-definitions)

[A. Abbreviations 5](#abbreviations)

[B. Definitions 5](#definitions)

[Chapter Two: INSURANCE CONTRACT INFORMATION
8](#chapter-two-insurance-contract-information)

[A. Insurability 8](#insurability)

[B. Grade (Size) Inspections 9](#grade-size-inspections)

[C. Applicability of Provisions 10](#applicability-of-provisions)

[Chapter three: SWEETPOTATO APPRAISALS
11](#chapter-three-sweetpotato-appraisals)

[A. General Information 11](#general-information)

[B. Selecting Representative Samples for Appraisal
11](#selecting-representative-samples-for-appraisal)

[C. Stages of Growth for Sweetpotato
12](#stages-of-growth-for-sweetpotato)

[Chapter four: APPRAISAL METHODS 14](#chapter-four-appraisal-methods)

[A. General Information 14](#general-information-1)

[B. Responsibilities Following Receipt of a Notice of Loss or\
Damage or a Scouting Report
14](#responsibilities-following-receipt-of-a-notice-of-loss-or-damage-or-a-scouting-report)

[C. Immature Stage Method 15](#immature-stage-method)

[D. Mature Stage Method 16](#mature-stage-method)

[chapter five: DETERMINING PRODUCTION TO COUNT
17](#chapter-five-determining-production-to-count)

[A. General Information 17](#general-information-2)

[B. Harvested Acreage 18](#harvested-acreage)

[C. Unharvested Acreage 19](#unharvested-acreage)

**List of Appendices**

Appendix A: Reference Materials

Appendix B. Worksheet Entries and Completion Procedures

Appendix C: Claim Form Entries and Completion Procedures

# Introduction {#introduction .unnumbered}

This Adjuster Training Manual introduces the specific procedures for
adjusting Multiple Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) losses for sweetpotatoes.

This training is intended to familiarize crop insurance adjusters with
the activities, requirements, language, and conditions found in the Loss
Adjustment Standards Handbook.

The training manual does not replace any current procedures or modify
any provisions contained in the complete insurance policy. Adjusters
should understand the content and provisions of the following materials:

-   Common Crop Insurance Policy;

-   Sweetpotato Pilot Crop Provisions;

-   Actuarial Documents;

-   Catastrophic Risk Protection Endorsement (as applicable);

-   Crop Insurance Handbook (CIH) (FCIC-18010);

-   Loss Adjustment Manual (LAM) (FCIC-25010); and

-   Sweetpotato Pilot Loss Adjustment Standards Handbook (LASH)
    (FCIC-25620)

Features of the Sweetpotato Pilot Insurance Program include the
following:

-   Only sweetpotatoes of the variety Beauregard, or other approved
    variety specifically listed for the growing region of interest in
    the Special Provisions, are insurable;

-   Only sweetpotatoes planted for harvest for fresh market consumption
    are insurable;

-   Sweetpotatoes planted for processing are not insurable;

-   Production to count will include the weight of field-pack
    production, defined as the quantity of roots that are at least one
    and one-half inch in diameter, or those meeting the size
    requirements for U.S. Extra No. 1, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 2, or Jumbo.

-   Appearance and other quality attributes will not be considered in
    determining yield;

-   Sweetpotatoes grown under irrigated and non-irrigated practices are
    insurable;

-   Coverage levels from catastrophic (CAT) through 75% are available;

-   Coverage is not available for late planting and prevented planting,

-   Coverage is not available for optional units;

-   Different price elections have been developed for harvested and
    unharvested acreage;

-   Some areas are deemed unsuitable for sweetpotato production.
    Adjusters must verify that sweetpotatoes were not planted on lands
    designated as high risk, in which case the sweetpotatoes shall be
    uninsurable without a written agreement.

## Objective of this Training Manual

This Sweetpotato Adjuster Training Manual is designed for classroom
orientation and as a reference for crop insurance adjusters. The
procedures discussed in the Training Manual and the LASH, including crop
appraisal methods and instructions for forms, supplement the general
(not crop-specific) procedures, forms, and manuals for loss adjustment
identified in the Loss Adjustment Manual (LAM) Standards Handbook. The
following material will be the basis for classroom instruction preparing
individuals for the certification testing.

## Certification Process

Following study and review of the training materials, the adjuster will
complete a test designed to evaluate the adjuster's understanding of the
material presented and to determine if the training objective was met.
Adjusters are permitted to use books, the LASH, crop insurance policies
and endorsements, or other study and reference materials during the
examination. Collaboration with others is not allowed. The examination
will consist of ten multiple choice questions, and should take less than
30 minutes to complete. For certification, the adjuster must correctly
answer at least seven out of ten questions covering the procedures used
in adjusting. Adjusters will be notified of all test results in writing,
and those who answer seven of the ten questions correctly will receive a
certificate of completion.

## Special Instructions

The current Loss Adjustment Standards Handbook (LASH) will remain in
effect until superseded by re-issuance of either the entire handbook or
selected portions. Selected portions will be issued via slipsheets or
bulletins. If slipsheets have been issued for a handbook, the original
handbook, as amended by slipsheet pages, shall constitute the handbook.
A bulletin can supersede either the original handbook or subsequent
slipsheets.

## Distribution of Completed Forms

Upon completion of any adjustment documents or forms, including growing
season inspections, one legible copy is to be provided to the insured.
Distribute the original and all remaining copies as instructed by the
insurance provider.

## Worksheet Entries and Completion Procedures

Appendix B of this Adjuster Training Manual includes examples of
Sweetpotato Growing Season Inspection Worksheets and Final Sweetpotato
Appraisal Worksheets, along with procedures for their completion. A full
discussion of the more complex entries is included.

## Claim Form Entries and Completion Procedures

Appendix C of this Adjuster Training Manual includes examples of the
Claim Form (Production Worksheet), along with procedures for its
completion. A full discussion of the more complex entries is included.

# Chapter One: TERMS, ABBREVIATIONS, AND DEFINITIONS {#chapter-one-terms-abbreviations-and-definitions .unnumbered}

General loss adjustment terms, abbreviations, and definitions are
identified in the Loss Adjustment Manual (LAM).

Sweetpotato specific loss adjustment terms, abbreviations, and
definitions which are not defined in this section are defined as they
appear in the text.

## Abbreviation(s)

**CAT** Catastrophic Risk Protection

**CIH** Crop Insurance Handbook

## Definitions

**Agricultural Expert**--An agricultural expert may be a person who
regularly derives income by selling services related to scouting or
producing sweetpotatoes, but must not have any investment in the insured
crop or any family relationship with the insured person.

**Certified G-1 Seed**--Vine cuttings and roots produced during the
first year of field production by a producer of certified seed.

**Certified Seed**--Sweetpotato seed that was produced and handled under
procedures acceptable to a certifying agency within the state where the
seed was produced, and that was found to maintain satisfactory genetic
purity and identity. Certified of seed must be identified by a document,
a tag, a label, or a certificate.

**Certifying Agency--** A State Department of Agriculture or other state
agency authorized to regulate the production of seed.

**Check Strip**--Full rows of sweetpotatoes extending the full length of
each field left in fields and subfields in locations designated by the
insurance provider and used by the adjuster to appraise production.
Refer to the LAM for additional information concerning representative
samples.

**Direct Marketing**--The selling the insured crop or any portion
thereof by the insured or any agent of the insured directly to a
consumer. Examples of direct marketing include selling through a
roadside stand, farmers' market, or u-pick operation.

**Discard**--To dispose of production without compensation.

**Family Relationship--**A family relationship exists when: 1) an
individual is the parent, brother, sister, child, spouse, grandchild, or
grandparent of another individual; or, 2) when an individual resides in
the household of another individual, or when an individual engages in
business with respect to a farming operation with another individual,
regardless of whether the two individuals are related by blood,
adoption, or marriage.

**Field Pack Production**-- Field-pack production is the quantity of
tuberous sweetpotato roots, each at least one and one half inches in
diameter, that has been harvested, or that the insurance provider
determines could have been harvested. In terms of the Standards for
Grades of Sweetpotatoes, field-pack production consists of all tuberous
roots that could be classified as either U.S. Extra No. 1, U.S. No. 1,
or U.S. No. 2 solely on the basis of their length, diameter, and weight
(as those terms are defined in the Standards). Field-pack production
also includes sweetpotatoes classified as Jumbos, as defined in the
Sweetpotato Pilot Crop Provisions.

**Field Production (of seed)--**Propagation of seed outside a controlled
environment such as a greenhouse.

**Fresh Market Crop**--Sweetpotatoes grown with the intent of sale by
the insured to a person who will market or use the crop in the form in
which it was harvested. A portion of the fresh market crop may be culled
by the insured as part of normal handling activities and converted into
a form that differs from the fresh appearance by means of canning,
freezing, or other process.

**Good Farming Practices** -- In addition to the definition contained in
the Basic Provisions, good farming practices for sweetpotatoes require
scouting of the crop and following the practices required by the
certifying agency with respect to seed production.

**Grade Inspection**--An evaluation in which representative samples of
production are obtained and are judged for quality and size based on
published USDA Sweetpotato Standards. This inspection is performed by a
certified inspector.

**Grade (Size) Inspection**--An evaluation in which representative
samples of appraised production are obtained and are judged for **size
only** based on published USDA Sweetpotato Standards. This inspection is
performed by the insurance provider or a party approved by the insurance
provider prior to the sale or disposal of any lot, or any portion of a
lot.

**Harvest**--Removal of the marketable tuberous sweetpotato roots from
the soil, placement of the marketable roots in a container, and prompt
removal from the field.

**Jumbo**--A tuberous sweetpotato root that weighs more than 36 ounces.

**Marketable**--A tuberous sweetpotato root that can be used for any
purpose, including livestock feed.

**Planted Acreage**--For the Sweetpotato Pilot Program, planted acreage
is defined as land in which slips have been transplanted, by hand or by
an appropriate machine, at the correct depth into a properly prepared
bed. Slips must be placed in rows of sufficient width to permit
mechanical cultivation.

**Qualified Person**--A qualified person is one who has grown
sweetpotatoes for commercial sale in three of the previous five calendar
years; who certifies at least three years of production history on the
production report; and who provides copies of their verifiable records.

**Scouting**--Scouting is the visual and physical assessment (including
the digging of appropriate sample plants) of the condition of the
growing sweetpotatoes by an agricultural expert. Assessment will
consider growth stage, progress toward maturity, crop vigor, nutrient
deficiencies, pesticide injury, and any infestation by disease, insects,
or weeds. Scouting is to be performed at the time or times identified in
the Special Provisions. A contemporaneous record of the findings of each
scouting event will be maintained, addressing each of the crop
characteristics listed above, plus any additional remarks deemed
relevant by the agricultural expert. A copy of the contemporaneous
record will be provided to the insured within 72 hours after the
scouting activity.

**Seed**--Tuberous sweetpotato roots planted to produce slips.

**Slips**--Shoots or vine cuttings produced from sweetpotato seed. Slips
are planted to establish a new sweetpotato crop.

**Standards**--United States Standards for Grades of Sweetpotatoes
effective July 1, 1963 or a successor document.

**Sweetpotato**--A plant of the species *Ipomoea batatas*, grown for
tuberous roots that are used primarily for human consumption.

**Tuberous Root**--Thickened roots with expanded cortex devoted
primarily to starch storage.

# Chapter Two: INSURANCE CONTRACT INFORMATION {#chapter-two-insurance-contract-information .unnumbered}

The insurance provider is to determine that the insured has complied
with all policy provisions of the insurance contract. Crop provisions
that are to be considered in this determination include (but are not
limited to) the following:

## Insurability

The insured crop will be all sweetpotatoes in the county for which a
premium rate is provided:

1)  In which the insured has a share;

2)  In which a qualified person has a share of 50% or more;

3)  That are planted for harvest as a fresh market crop;

4)  That are planted using slips that the insured: a) purchased from a
    certified seed producer, b) produced from certified seed that was
    properly treated with a fungicide, and or c) produced from seed that
    was propagated by the insured from certified G-1 seed (that was
    properly treated with a fungicide) the previous crop year;

5)  That are of a variety specified in the Special Provisions;

6)  That are initially planted with a sufficient number of slips to
    achieve a plant density not less than the number specified in the
    Special Provisions (the insurance provider will make an appraisal
    for uninsured loss if the specified density is not achieved).

7)  That are scouted by an agricultural expert on no fewer than the
    number of occasions specified in the Special Provisions (the
    scouting must include any reported uninsured acreage); and

8)  That are not:

> \(a\) Interplanted with another crop;
>
> \(b\) Sold to a processor; or
>
> \(c\) Sold or used for the production of seed or slips.

Sweetpotato acreage will be considered uninsurable if:

1)  It does not meet the rotation requirements shown in the Special
    Provisions, if applicable;

2)  It is identified as uninsurable in the actuarial documents, except
    by written agreement;

3)  It is subject to restrictions on planting of sweetpotatoes under
    orders issued by the official in the state responsible for control
    of sweetpotato weevils, witchweed, or other controlled insects or
    weeds;

4)  It is planted into a field in which any other crop was damaged by
    fungal, bacterial or viral diseases, or insects or nematodes that
    can affect sweetpotatoes during either of the previous two years;

5)  It is planted into a field that had been pasture in the preceding
    crop year.

The insured cannot insure an amount of acreage that exceeds 110 percent
of the largest number of acres of sweetpotatoes in which the insured had
a share that the insured harvested in any of the most recent three crop
years in which sweetpotatoes were planted by the insured.

Any acreage of the insured crop damaged before the final planting date,
to the extent that a majority of producers in the area would not
normally further care for the crop, must be replanted, unless the
insurance provider agreed that it was not practical to replant. (Refer
to the LAM for information related to replanting provisions issues.)

## Grade (Size) Inspections

For any unit for which the insured has provided a "Notice of Loss or
Damage" and/or for which the scouting report indicates losses of 25% or
more of the approved yield, an on-site grade (size) inspection must be
performed by the provider or the provider's agent on representative
samples of sweetpotatoes after the crop reaches maturity. Such
inspections are performed on sweetpotatoes in check strips left in each
field or subfield in locations specified by the insurance provider.

> **NOTE:** Production to Count for all harvested acreage in a unit will
> be at least the production guarantee if any field or subfield in the
> unit has been harvested and the appropriate check strips have not been
> established or maintained as directed by the insurance provider.

Sweetpotatoes must be evaluated, and grade (size) determinations made,
by: 1) a person who is appropriately trained in the USDA size standards
for sweetpotatoes that are used to define field-pack production, and
whom the insurance provider has authorized to grade sweetpotatoes to
determine field pack production, or 2) a sweetpotato grader licensed or
certified by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Any loss of production must be determined based on representative
samples obtained in the field. The number and size of representative
samples required will be determined in accordance with the sweetpotato
LASH. Samples will be graded according to USDA **size** standards only.

Production meeting or exceeding USDA **size** standards will be
determined by examining individual tuberous roots. All tuberous roots in
a representative sample will be examined.

It is IMPERATIVE that all production in a unit be graded by appropriate
**size** characteristics according to the crop provisions.

## Applicability of Provisions 

In addition to optional units and replanting payments, which do not
apply to any sweetpotato policies, written agreements and Hail and Fire
Exclusion provisions do not apply to sweetpotato policies for which CAT
coverage has been elected. Refer to the CIH and LAM for other provisions
not applicable to CAT policies.

# Chapter three: SWEETPOTATO APPRAISALS {#chapter-three-sweetpotato-appraisals .unnumbered}

## General Information

Potential production will be appraised in accordance with procedures
specified in the Sweetpotato LASH and in the LAM when the insured has
submitted a "Notice of Loss or Damage." The LAM includes additional
circumstances under which appraisals are required.

## Selecting Representative Samples for Appraisal

The number of required samples for a field or subfield is influenced by
field or subfield size, general condition of the plants, and variability
of potential production and plant damage within the field or subfield.
Fields are split into subfields when variable damage causes the crop
potential to appear to be significantly different within different
portions of the same field (special attention should be paid to low
lying portions of any field because such areas are particularly prone to
losses including uninsured losses resulting from poor management
practices). Subfields are also necessary when the insured wishes to
abandon a portion of a field, or discard or destroy the production there
from.

Each field or subfield is to be appraised separately. A separate set of
Growing Season Inspection Worksheets is required for each field or
subfield within a unit. Separate entries for each field or subfield are
required on the Final Sweetpotato Appraisal Worksheet.

The adjuster is to take not less than the minimum number (count) of
representative samples for a field or subfield required in Tables A and
B in the Reference Materials section of the Sweetpotato LASH (and
reproduced in Appendix A of this training manual). The location of check
strips is generally provided to the insured when a notice of loss is
given by the insured or when fields are to be abandoned. The adjuster
must check the size and location of check strip rows to assure that they
are full rows and that they have been left in accordance with
instructions from the insurance provider.

An end plant (the first insurable plant on a check strip) will be the
first sample plant. Marketable field pack tuberous roots are collected
to assess the weight of field pack production for that plant, as
described below in the sections entitled Appraisal Methods, Determining
Production to Count, and Appraisal Deviation and Modification. Then, the
adjuster will proceed along the check strip row, counting each insured
plant and collecting the field pack production tuberous roots (for
appraisal) at an appropriate uniform sampling interval as determined
after referring to Table B in the Reference Materials section of the
Sweetpotato LASH (and reproduced in Appendix A of this training manual).

Skips or other types of plants are not to be counted. However,
sweetpotato plants that were dead before insured damage occurred, or
sweetpotato plants damaged by uninsured causes, are plants to count. If
those dead plants exceed 25% of the destroyed sweetpotatoes, the
adjuster must refer to the LAM for adjustment of controversial claims.

Upon reaching the end of each row, the adjuster is to proceed down the
next check strip row in the opposite direction, continuing his or her
count from the preceding check strip row, and assessing the plants at
the same interval determined above, from Table B of the Sweetpotato LASH
(and reproduced in Appendix A of this training manual). The process is
repeated until all the plants in the field or subfield check strips have
been counted and all the sample plants have been dug and assessed.

## Stages of Growth for Sweetpotato

Planting and harvest dates are used to determine the stage of growth of
sweetpotato plants. Starting with the first day following the planting
of the sweetpotatoes and continuing through a period described in the
Special Provisions, the crop is considered to be in the immature stage.

Starting not earlier than the beginning of the mature stage described in
the Special Provisions or when sufficient tuberous roots are of the
appropriate size for harvest according to the practices used by a
majority of the producers in the region and ending with harvest, the
crop is considered to be in the mature stage.

The adjuster should verify the planting day by examining the insured's
records. Evidence of harvest or lack thereof should be obtained by an
examination of the field and verified by examination of the insured's
records. The adjuster should note and document the presence of any
sweetpotato plants with roots of harvestable size.

**Example 1:**

An insured's records indicate that the crop was planted initially on May
15. The Special Provisions indicate that the crop is immature during at
least the 104 days following planting.

The immature stage for this field is from May 15 through at least August
27.

The mature stage for this field begins no earlier than August 28 and
continues through the date of harvest or destruction.

**Example 2:**

An insured's records indicate that the crop was planted initially on
April 15 and replanted on April 29. The Special Provisions indicate that
the crop is immature during at least the 104 days following planting.
The field was harvested September 1, with appropriate check strips left
for appraisal.

The immature stage for this field is from April 29 through at least
August 11.

The mature stage for this field begins no earlier than August 12 and
continues through September 1.

# Chapter four: APPRAISAL METHODS {#chapter-four-appraisal-methods .unnumbered}

## General Information

The instructions contained in the Sweetpotato LASH provide standards for
selecting representative samples and appraising production and losses.

The Immature Stage Method is used for planted acreage from the first day
following the planting of the sweetpotatoes and continuing up to the
number of days described as the beginning of the mature stage in the
Special Provisions.

The Mature Stage Method is used for planted acreage beginning not
earlier than the beginning of the mature stage described in the Special
Provisions, or when sufficient tuberous roots are of the appropriate
size for harvest according to the practices used by a majority of the
producers in the region and ending with harvest.

Separate Growing Season Inspection Worksheets are required for each
field and subfield inspected. If the field is divided into subfields,
the adjuster must note the cause and method of subdivision in the
narrative portion of the Production Worksheet or in a Special Report.

A field or subfield is considered to have a single stage of maturity. If
plants in a portion of a field or subfield have been planted on a
different date from those in the bulk of that field or subfield (e.g.,
because of a replanting), the maturity for the whole field or subfield
is based upon the latest date of planting within that field or subfield.

The adjuster will appraise an amount of production that is at least
equal to the production guarantee if the insured did not leave the
representative samples as directed, or if the insured harvests or
destroys check strips before appraisal, per the Crop Provisions.

Following a final pre-harvest inspection, the adjustor must enter on the
Final Appraisal Worksheet in column 18 the date the insured anticipates
harvest or destruction. The insured must notify the insurance provider
if the harvest/destruction does not occur by the indicated date. In such
circumstances, the adjuster should check with the insurance provider for
specific instructions. An additional final inspection may be required if
the crop is not harvested or destroyed by the date indicated on the
original Final Appraisal Worksheet.

## Responsibilities Following Receipt of a Notice of Loss or Damage or a Scouting Report

The response to a "Notice of Loss or Damage" is affected by the extent
of losses anticipated by the insurance provider following an insured
event or a scouting report indicating reduced production. For all
notices and scouting reports, the insured is notified of any
requirements for replanting, and is made aware of the requirements for
check strips that must be maintained to appraise representative samples.

The preliminary growing season inspections must be made within 15 days
of receipt of a "Notice of Loss or Damage" to assess the losses due to
the insured event, to differentiate those losses from losses due to
prior and uninsured causes, and to determine if the insured can
appropriately abandon maintenance of the field.

The consent to release the field for other use can only be made by the
insurance provider (and not by a qualified agricultural expert). Without
an inspection, or with an inspection delayed beyond the prescribed time,
the production to count will be no less than the guarantee.

## Immature Stage Method

Fields damaged in the immature stage will be appraised using the
immature stage method. This method is based initially on the number and
condition of destroyed and damaged plants in a field or subfield. It
does not replace an appraisal of the harvestable field pack production
yield after the crop has reached maturity if the crop is carried to
maturity.

When the damage occurs during the immature stage, the end of the
planting period has passed, and the insured wants an immediate release
to put the field to other use: (a) an immature stage appraisal
inspection is performed by the adjuster; (b) the production to count is
determined by dividing the number of surviving plants by the total
number of plants and multiplying the result by the approved yield used
to calculate the guarantee; and (c) the indemnity will be computed at
the price for computing an indemnity on unharvested acres.

Except under the circumstances explained in the preceding paragraph, a
preliminary growing season inspection will be conducted by the adjuster
following receipt of a "Notice of Loss or Damage." This inspection will
only be to determine the cause of loss and to identify any uninsured
losses, and a final appraisal of a crop damaged in the immature stage is
required after the crop has reached maturity.

The potential for each field or subfield is determined by collecting
representative samples in the locations identified by the insurance
provider for check strips and extrapolating to calculate the potential
of the field. Production to count for each field or subfield is
determined by applying the potential for that field or subfield to the
acreage of the field or subfield. Finally, the production to count for
the unit is the sum of the production to count for all the fields or
subfields in the unit.

## Mature Stage Method

The mature stage method is used to appraise fields in the mature stage.
This method should be applied only to sweetpotato plants whose roots
have achieved a size that producers in the area would typically begin to
harvest.

The mature stage method is based on the weight of marketable roots
obtained from representative samples in the fields or subfields. The
anticipated harvest or destruction date for the crop should be
determined. If the harvest or destruction of the crop is not anticipated
to occur within 14 days, follow the procedures for appraising an
immature crop.

For crops not excluded by the anticipated harvest date described in the
preceding paragraph, the final pre-harvest field inspection is made
within 14 days following receipt of a "Notice of Loss or Damage." The
potential for each field or subfield is determined by collecting
representative samples in the locations identified by the insurance
provider for check strips and extrapolating to calculate the potential
of the field. The production to count for each field or subfield is then
determined by applying the potential for that field or subfield to the
acreage of the field or subfield. Finally, the production to count for
the unit is the sum of the production to count for all the fields or
subfields in the unit.

# chapter five: DETERMINING PRODUCTION TO COUNT {#chapter-five-determining-production-to-count .unnumbered}

## General Information

Production to count is based on the weight of "field-pack production."
Appraisals to determine production to count rely on a grade (size)
inspection of roots from sample plants from check strips conducted just
prior to, or just after, harvest.

Sample plants should be dug up with a shovel or a four- or five-tine
pitch fork. The soil around the plant should be loosened and examined to
assure that all tuberous roots that had been attached to the plant have
been removed from the soil.

Roots should be sorted into those that are clearly 1.5 inches in
diameter or greater (which are added to the pile to be weighed in
determining production to count for the sample), those that are clearly
less than 1.5 inches in diameter (which will be considered unmarketable
production), and those that do not fall clearly into either of these
categories (which must be measured and then either added to production
to count or discarded). Quality of the roots is not assessed by the
grade (size) inspection.

The diameter of roots can be measured by any of a variety of approaches
that clearly distinguishes marketable roots from roots that are too
small. The roots can be measured at their widest point (perpendicular to
the tuberous root length) using a caliper calibrated in inches. The
roots can be cut in half at their widest point (perpendicular to the
tuberous root length) and measured using a ruler. The roots can be
sorted by retaining all roots that cannot pass through a 1.5 inch hole
bored in a sorting board and discarding all roots that can pass through
the hole. All marketable roots (including those that are cut) are added
to the production to count for the sample.

All marketable production to count from representative samples from a
field or subfield is weighed (collectively), and rounded to the nearest
pound. The total unharvested (but harvestable) production from all
acreage in the unit must be accounted for.

Loss of production due to insufficient planting densities must be
determined by subtracting the actual planting density from the minimum
planting density as specified in the Special Provisions (the procedures
and formal for determining planting density are included in Table C of
the Appendix to this manual). If the result is a positive number, divide
that number by the minimum planting density and multiply the result by
the guarantee and by the acreage of the field or subfield. The result is
production to count for uninsured losses of due to insufficient planting
densities.

**EXAMPLE:**

> Minimum Planting Density = 9,800 slips per acre
>
> Actual Planting Density = 8,000 slips per acre
>
> Approved Yield Used to Calculate the Guarantee = 100 cwt. per acre
>
> Actual Planting Density - Minimum Planting Density =
>
> 9,800 slips per acre - 8,000 slips per acre = 1,800 slips per acre
>
> Production to count for uninsured losses due to insufficient planting
> densities = (1,800/9,800)\*100 cwt. per acre = 18.4 cwt. per acre.

## Harvested Acreage

Production to count for harvested acreage is based upon the appraisal
from sample plants in check strips and production records. If check
strips were left, production to count for the harvested acreage will be
the greater of the appraisals or the total of all the harvested
sweetpotatoes from production records (refer to the LAM for acceptable
production records).

If the check strips extending the entire length of each field in the
unit have not been left and maintained in each field or subfield as
required by the insurance provider, the production to count for all the
harvested acres in that field or subfield will be the greater of the
harvested production or the production guarantee.

Harvested field pack production to count for sweetpotatoes will include
any sweetpotatoes that are removed from the field, unless the insured
has records that demonstrate the roots were less than one and one-half
inches in diameter.

Harvested production will also include any sweetpotatoes that the
insurance provider determines (a) could have been sold for human
consumption or livestock feed in the general marketing area; (b) were
not sold as a result of uninsured causes; (c) were of an appropriate
size for harvest, but were not collected during the harvest; or (d) were
of an appropriate size for harvest, but were gleaned (Refer to the LAM
for more information about gleaned acreage); or (e) discarded or
destroyed without the insurance provider's written consent.

In the event that the insured reported uninsured acres due to planting
in excess of the number permitted to be insured as described in section
6 of the Sweetpotato Pilot Crop Provisions, production to count is
calculated by multiplying the sum of the harvested and appraised
production from all planted acreage by the ratio of insured acres to
total acres planted.

**EXAMPLE:**

The insured planted 120 acres of sweetpotatoes but the largest number of
acres harvested in the three most recent crop years in which the insured
had a share was only 100 acres. The production to count from all 120
acres was 6,000 cwt. The insured's production to count will be as
follows:

The number of acres that the insured may insure can not exceed 110
percent of the largest number of acres of sweetpotatoes in which the
insured had a share and that were harvested in any of the most recent
three crop years that the insured planted sweetpotatoes.

100 acres multiplied by 110 percent = 110 maximum insurable acres.

6,000 cwt total production x 110 insured acres ÷ 120 planted acres =
5,500 cwt production to count.

## Unharvested Acreage

Unharvested production to count for sweetpotatoes will include any lot
of sweetpotatoes that are (a) not removed from the field, but meet or
exceed U.S. No. 2 size standards on a sample basis; (b) could have been
harvested and sold for human consumption or livestock feed in the
general marketing area; or (c) were not harvested as a result of
uninsured causes.