Early season storms damage crops across Western Canada
A series of storms across Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta produced hail that resulted in mostly light to medium damage to crops with significant damage seen in a few fields, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.
The storms occurred May 29, June 2, June 6, June 7, June 9 and June 10. Farmers in the Saskatchewan communities of Weyburn, Midale, Ituna, Tisdale, Avonlea, Canora, Kamsack reported damage. In Manitoba, farmers in Portage, Somerset and High Bluff reported damage. And, farmers in the Alberta communities of Trochu and Westlock reported damage.
CCHA member companies are investigating 49 claims from the storms, with more than half of those in Portage and High Bluff.
Severe storms produced high winds and hail across Alberta on June 13. Damage from those storms is still being assessed and is not included in this report.
“Farmers have reported light hail on early developing crops,” said Murray Bantle of Co-operative Hail Insurance Company, which has six of the claims in Weyburn and Midale.
Tyson Ryhorchuk, of Rain and Hail Insurance Service, said pea-sized hail resulted in light damage to crops in Somerset and Trochu. Rain and Hail Insurance Services has three claims.
“We expect to see light losses at the early stage of wheat and canola development,” he said.
Farmers in Tisdale, Avonlea, Canora and Kamsack reported small stones and light damage, said Rodney Schoettler of Saskatchewan Municipal Hail Insurance, which has six claims.
“These were random and very isolated storms,” he said. “The stones were small, and we are expecting little to no damage. Frost and poor crop germination will also factor into adjusting for the storm damage.”
David Koroscil of Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation, said hail ranging from pea to toonie-size damaged edible beans, soybeans, canola in Portage and High Bluff. MASC company has 30 claims.
“We are seeing mostly moderate damage, but a couple of fields have fairly significant damage,” he said. “High wind was also a factor.”
Jackie Sanden, of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, reported damage to Canola and HRS Wheat in Westlock. AFSC has four claims.
Historically, June is among the most active hail periods across Western Canada. Last year, a June 14 storm destroyed crops across Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta. Some insurers said it was one of the costliest June storms on record.
“CCHA member companies are here to help farmers with the insurance coverage they need for a successful growing season in Western Canada,” said Rick Omelchenko, president of the Canadian Crop Hail Association. “Please contact a CCHA member to report storm damage or if you have questions about your coverage levels.”
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The Canadian Crop Hail Association (CCHA) has been serving the crop insurance industry since 1915. It is a member-driven organization that represents the interests of the Canadian Crop Hail managing general agencies and insurance companies. Our companies service agriculture producers in the western prairies. These private and government organizations together provide a risk management tool to the Western Canadian prairie farmer. Members are Additional Municipal Hail Ltd. (Saskatchewan), Ag Direct Hail Insurance Ltd, Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (Alberta), Canadian Hail Agencies Inc., Co-operative Hail Insurance Company, Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation, Palliser Insurance Company Ltd. and Rain and Hail Insurance Service Ltd.