Growers report minor storm damage as harvest continues across Western Canada
Harvest continues across Western Canada with growers reporting minor storm damage and insurance adjusters moving quickly to finalize claims, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.
CCHA member companies are investigating more than 53 claims of crop damage from storms that occurred Aug. 15-22.
Scott McQueen, of Palliser Insurance, said storms damaged crops in Alberta and Manitoba with hail ranging from pea to marble size. The damaged was mostly minor.
“We had a light week of claims in Western Canada as harvest continues,” he said. “Rainfall has slowed harvest in many areas as adjusters move quickly to wrap up claims. Claims are finishing quickly as many of the fields have been opened up for easy access.”
Cassandra Holt, of Canadian Hail Agencies, said storms damaged crops in the Saskatchewan community of Strathclair.
Ellen Grant, of AG Direct Hail Insurance, said storms damaged crops in the Alberta communities of Hussar and Standard. In Manitoba, she said storms damaged crops in Oakburn, Sandy Lake, and Boissevain.
Murray Bantle, of Co-operative Hail Insurance Company, said storms damaged canola and wheat in the central Manitoba communities of Shoal Lake, Elphinstone, Sandy Lake and Strathclair. The damage ranged from light to medium, he said.
“The number of claims are below the 5-year average in July for Manitoba,” he said. “Hail event days are slightly below average. The claim severity, or cost-per-claim, is above average. For August, so far, our number of claims is below the average. Hail event days are below average and cost-per-claim is nearing average. So far, it has been a light hail year in Manitoba.”
In Saskatchewan, storms damaged canola. The damage was light, Bantle said.
“Our July claims are 97 percent complete in Saskatchewan,” he said. “The number of claims is below average. Hail event days are slightly below average. The claim severity is above average. For August, we are 91 percent complete. So far, our number of claims is below average. Hail event days are below average and cost-per-claim is near average. So far, the year has seen below average activity in Saskatchewan but the severity is much above average.”
Brendan Blight, of Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation, said storms produced pea size hail that damaged crops in the Manitoba communities of Foxwarren, Elm Creek and Oakburn.
“The damage was very minor with a scattering of a few claims across the province,” he said. “Harvest is progressing with a large chunk of the cereals having been harvested in areas.”
For more information and past reports: cropinsuranceincanada.org
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.