Milder weather means fewer storms as harvest continues

Milder weather resulted in fewer damaging storms across western Canada as harvest nears the halfway mark in some places, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred Sept. 4-11.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 16 claims of crop damage during the time period.

Murray Bantle, of Co-operative Hail Insurance Company, said storms damaged oilseeds in the Manitoba communities of Benito and McCreary.

“Only small scattered thunderstorms this week for Manitoba,” he said. “Our August claims in Manitoba are 94 percent complete at this time.”

In Saskatchewan, storms damaged oilseeds and cereals in Bethune, Lucky Lake, Nipawin and Wilkie.

“Scattered thunderstorm activity caused damage on ready-to-harvest crops,” he said. “We are asking growers to make sure to leave adequate samples to adjust from. Harvest is now nearing 50 percent complete according to the provincial crop report. August storms are now 90 percent adjusted in Saskatchewan.”

Jackie Sanden, of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, said storms damaged crops in the Alberta communities of La Glace, Pincher Creek, Calmar and Thorhild.

Cassandra Holt, of Canadian Hail Agencies, said storms damaged crops in the Alberta community of Westlock. In Saskatchewan, storms damaged crops in Norquay.