Growers urged to leave adequate crop samples as harvest approaches

Storms damaged crops with hail as large as baseballs across Western Canada and growers are urged to leave adequate samples for adjusters as harvest approaches, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred July 18-24.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 1,500 claims of crop damage during the time period.

Companies contributing to this report are Co-operative Hail Insurance Company, Rain and Hail Insurance Service, Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, Additional Municipal Hail, Palliser Insurance Company

CCHA President Scott McQueen of Palliser Insurance said storms produced pea to baseball size hail across the region

“Southern Alberta experienced severe hail events with strong winds and baseball sized hail,” he said. “Heavy damage to all crop types was reported in isolated areas. Saskatchewan also saw severe damage but not nearly the impact Alberta had. Manitoba experienced smaller isolated storms with the damage ranging from light to heavy.”

Yves Dooper, of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, said some growers are attempting to salvage their crop, begin harvest or in a few cases replant the damaged area to another crop and, with the current claim load, adjusters may not inspect all claims before something is done with the fields.

“Producers are encouraged to contact their insurance provider to ensure they leave the appropriate amount of crop for the adjuster to assess,” he said.

Here’s a look at storm damage across the region.

Alberta

Crops damaged: all major crops, lentils, peas, wheat, durum, corn, mustard, potatoes, sugar beets, dry beans, hybrid canola seed, mint, and dill.

Communities impacted include:. Ponoka, Galahad, Lethbridge, Taber, Glenwood, Standoff, Coalhurst, Picture Butte, Iron Springs, Enchant, Aetna, Milk River, Warner, Gahern, Wrentham, Bow Island, Redcliff, Bassano, Gleichen, Langdon, Airdrie, Schuler, Hoadley, Ponoka, Bluffton, Lacombe, Delburne, Big Valley, Hanna, Red Willow, Halkirk, Castor, Coronation, Veteran, Consort, Warburg, Elk Point, Fort Assiniboine

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: Cereal, oilseed and pulses Lentils, peas, wheat, durum, corn, mustard

Communities impacted include: Fox Valley, Frobisher, Indian Head, Lampman, Rockglen, Tramping Lake, Dinsmore, Redvers, Alameda, Estevan, Nipawin, Oxbow, Zenon Park, Rockhaven, Bradwell, Davidson, Glen Bain, Gravelbourg, Alida, West of Arborfield, Torquay, Estevan, Bienfait, Chamberlain, Yorkton.

Manitoba

Crops damaged: Cereals, pulses and oilseeds

Communities impacted include: Boissevain, Killarney, Pilot Mound, Winkler.