Farmers Report Hail Damage, Flooding in Western Canada

Heavy rain and flooding are contributing to crop damage from hailstorms in parts of western Canada, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred June 20-28 and July 2-4.

CCHA member companies are investigating about 120 claims of crop damage during the time period.

Murray Bantle, of Cooperative Hail Insurance Company, said storms damaged wheat, canola and beans in southern Manitoba from La Riviere Plum Coulee to Stienbach and also in Rossburn. Damage reports range from light to heavy with reports still coming in.

Also in Manitoba, storms damaged cereal, pulses and oilseeds in Brandon, Foxwarren, Rossburn and Hamiota, Melita, Reston.

“There was some flooding with large amounts of rain through the Brandon region,” Bantle said.

In Saskatchewan, Bantle said scattered storms damaged crops in Churchbridge, Calder, Biggar and Estevan. A larger storm on July 2 damaged crops in Arborfield, Carrot River, Melfort, Lake Lenore, Tisdale. He said farmers are reporting heavy damage in Tisdale.

Also in Saskatchewan, storms damaged cereals, canola and peas in Neudorf and Plenty.

Cassandra Holt, of Canadian Hail Agencies, said storms damaged crops in Saskatchewan near Star City, Semans, and, Assiniboia.

“Farmers reported hail damage for a series of storms that occurred throughout the entire week in Saskatchewan,” she said.

In Manitoba, she said farmers reported damage to barley, soybeans, canola, and oats in Brandon and Hamiota. In Alberta, farmers reported damage to barley and canola in Coalhurst, Coaldale, Holt said. Farmers also reported a storm in the Lethbridge area.

Jackie Sanden, of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, said storms damaged crops in the Alberta communities of Neerlandia, Thorhild, Warner, Chin, Nobleford, Turin, Millarville, Medicine Hat and Hilda. The damage was variable and is still under investigation.

Beth Shewkenek, of AG Direct Hail Insurance, said storms damaged crops in southern Alberta. Details were not immediately available. She also reported damage in Saskatchewan.

 

#####

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. These private and government organizations together provide a risk management tool to the farmers across Canada. 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 Rain and Hail Insurance Service Ltd., New Brunswick Agricultural Insurance Commission and Palliser Insurance Company Ltd.