CCHA increases capacity to meet high demand

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The crop hail industry increased capacity in 2023 to accommodate another year of high demand, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

Most companies had coverage available for producers until the deadline of Aug. 1.

“Our member companies successfully avoided the early sales closure we had in 2022 by increasing capacity to match very high sales volume between May and June,” said Scott McQueen, CCHA president. “I’m proud of the work we did this season and I encourage producers to contact a CCHA company soon to help with planning for next year.”

The industry provided more than $18 billion in coverage across the prairie provinces.

In Alberta, producers received $357 million in insurance payments, including the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation crop hail endorsement. Producers received $76.9 million in Saskatchewan and $54.3 million in Manitoba.

“We thank the producers who grow the food we rely on and our adjusters who responded to another year of high market demand and made sure farmers received payments quickly after claims,” McQueen said. “We look forward to partnering with producers to support another strong season next year.”

CCHA members have completed final hail damage claims.

Adjusters work to complete claims across Western Canada

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Adjusters are moving quickly to complete hail damage claims as harvest continues across Western Canada, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 630 claims of crop damage from storms that occurred Aug. 14-28

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

CCHA Chairman Scott McQueen, of Palliser Insurance, said Alberta and Manitoba had spotty hailstorms with damage ranging from light to sever while storm activity in Saskatchewan remained slow.

“Harvest continues to roar throughout the prairies,” he said. “We did see some rain in areas but we are expecting clear days ahead. Adjusters are moving quickly with fields opened up and claims are getting knocked down at a swift pace.”

Growers should leave adequate sample crops in the field for adjusters to examine.

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

Alberta

Crops damaged: Canola, wheat, barley, chickpeas, corn, fababeans, lentils, market garden, mustard, oats, peas, potatoes, rye, triticale,

Communities impacted: Wainwright, Vermillion, Coutts, Caroline, Eckville, Bentley, Lacombe, Botha, Forestburg, Sedgewick, Irma, Camrose, Warburg, Gadsby

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: Canola, wheat, barley, oats, soybeans, lentils

Communities impacted include: Pense, Delisle, Etonia, Herschel, Wilkie, Northbattelford, Macklin, Herschel, Francis, Carlyle, Lampman, Alameda, Oxbow, Tisdale, Gronlid, Moose Jaw, Frontier, Glen Ewen, Frobisher

Manitoba

Crops damaged: Wheat, canola, soybeans, cereals, grain corn, field peas, canola, sunflowers, flax, edible beans, grain corn

Communities impacted include: Minitonas, Birch River, Virden, Snowflake, Balmoral, Rosser, Oakbank, Sperling, Carman, Dugald, Crystal City, Roland, Carman, St Andrew, Bowsman, Winkler, Amaranth

Adjusters work to inspect damaged crops as harvest continues

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Producers are asked to leave adequate strips of damaged crops for inspection with harvest in full swing, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 825 claims of crop damage from storms that occurred Aug. 7-14.

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

CCHA Chairman Scott McQueen, of Palliser Insurance, said hail activity remained slower than normal.

“With harvest in full swing, adjusters have better access to fields which speeds up the adjusting process,” he said. “Sporadic storms continue to produce a wide variety of damage from very light to medium-heavy with stones ranging from pea to nickel size hail.

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

 Alberta

Crops damaged: Barley, canola, chickpeas, corn, dill, drybeans, faba beans, flax, lentils, mustard, oats, peas, potatoes, pumpkins, rye, sugarbeets, triticale, wheat

Communities impacted: Grassy Lake, Burdett, Etzikom, Orion, Enchant, Schuler, Sundre, Olds, Didsbury, Carstairs, Irricana, Rockyford, Paradise Valley, McLaughlin, Round Hill, Kingman, Toefield, Dewberry, Heinsburg, Bear Canyon, Beiseker, Bow Island

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: Peas, wheat, canola, canola, barley, oats

Communities impacted include: Allan, Semans, Ituna, Yorkton, Dundurn, Leader, Norquay, Preeceville, Raymore, Wynyard, Cudworth, Theodore, Shamrock, Moose Jaw, Moosomin, Bulyea, Strasbourg, Plenty, Kerrobert, Eatonia, Hoosier, Marengo, Duval, Watrous, Southey, Martensville, Semans, Kamsack

Manitoba

Crops damaged: soybeans, canola, cereals, peas, barley, wheat, soybeans

Communities impacted include: The Pas, Arborg, Russell, Inglis, Arnes, Riverton, Beausejour, Oakbank, Grandview, Dauphin, Gilbert Plains, Fork River, Dauphin, Winnipeg, Arborg

Isolated storms damage crops as harvest continue

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Isolated storms damaged crops across Western Canada as harvest continues, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 450 claims of crop damage from storms that occurred July 31-Aug. 6.

Companies contributing to this report are Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation, Palliser Insurance and Co-operative Hail Insurance Company.

CCHA President Scott McQueen, of Palliser Insurance, damage varies depending on the area and the crop.

“Thin crops in some of the dryer areas are being affected by hail substantially more than crops with adequate moisture,” he said. “With harvest underway, please leave adequate check strips for adjusters. If you have any questions, please reach out to your hail insurance provider.”

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

Alberta

Crops damaged: Barley, canola, corn, oats, peas, potatoes, wheat

Communities impacted include: Water Valley, Rumsey, Caroline, Leslieville, Tomahawk, Edson, Peers, Wildwood, Athabasca, Boyle, Grimshaw, Worsley, Lloydminster, Medicine Hat, Bow Island, Taber, Trochu, Vimy

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: Canola, Barley, Lentils, Wheat, Peas

Communities impacted include: Humboldt, Bruno, Cudworth, Moose Jaw, Aberdeen, Canola, Kamsack, Nipawin, Shellbrook, Raymore, Hepburn, Semans, Ituna, Goodeve, Borden, Ituna, Norquay, Coderra, Stewart Valley, Sturgis, Eyebrow, Lafleche, Zenon Park, Swift Current, Lake Lenore

Manitoba

Crops damaged: Cereals, Canola, Soybeans, Peas, Edible Beans, wheat

Communities impacted include: Waskada, Deloraine, Broad Valley, Birch River, Swan River, Minitonas, Morden, Goodlands, Domain

Minor crop damage reported in latest storms across Western Canada 

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Storms produced pea to golf ball-size hail across Western Canada resulting in reports of minor damage in most areas, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 1,400 claims of crop damage from storms that occurred July 24-30.

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

“The 2023 hail season continues to produce storms that have light damage but have spots that have severe losses within most storm events,” said Syd Figora of Palliser Insurance.

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

Alberta

Crops damaged: Wheat, pats, barley, canola, corn, lentils, soybeans, alfalfa, dry beans, canary seed, carrots, celery, chickpeas, corn, fababeans, flax, hemp, mint, mixed grain, mustard, oats, peas, potatoes, rye, sugar beets, timothy, triticale

Communities impacted include: Cardston, Trochu, Three Hills, Medicine Hat, Milk River, Cardston, Bow Island, Burdett, Coaldale, Vauxhall, Langdon, Strathmore, Crossfield, Didsbury, Rowley, Craigmyle, Hanna, Cereal, Sibbald, Wimborne, Red Deer, Crestomere, Auburndale, Camrose, Warburg, Genesee, Tomahawk, Evansburg, Rich Valley, Alcomdale, Pickardville, Legal, Vimy, Westlock, Clyde, Spirit River

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: Wheat, pats, barley, canola, corn, lentils, soybeans

Communities impacted include: Plenty, Lafleche, Gravelbourg, Codette, Carrot River, Aylsham, Star City, Kindersley, Major, Plenty, Marengo, Kerrobert, Codette, Christopher Lake, Tisdale, Ruthilda, Weyburn, Mankota, Fox Valley, Nipawin, Melfort, Ridgedale, McCord, Hepburn

Manitoba

Crops damaged: Soybeans, Sunflowers, Cereals Canola, Peas, Edible Beans

Communities impacted include: Oakville, Elm Creek, Fannystelle, Sanford, Carman, Ste Jean Baptiste, Otterburn, Steinbach, St Malo, Crooks Creek, Beausejour, Clandeboye, Morris, Dufrost, Niverville, La Salla

Hail, drought damage crops in Western Canada

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Quarter-size hail damaged crops across Western Canada and drought continues in some parts of Western Canada, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 1,100 claims of crop damage from storms that occurred July 18-30.

Companies contributing to this report are Palliser Insurance, Rain and Hail Insurance Service, Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation and Agriculture Financial Services Corporation.

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

 Alberta

Crops damaged: Peas, wheat, durum, corn, canola, barley, alfalfa, canary seed, faba beans, flax, hemp, lentils, mustard, oats, potatoes, fall rye

 Communities impacted include: Bassano, Rolling Hills, Daysland, Bawlf, Ft. Macleod, New Dayton, Warner, Milk River, Okotoks, Dogpound, Didsbury, Penhold, Red Deer, Joffre, Consort, Altario, Holden, Spruce Grove, Evansburg, Peers, Camp Creek, Barrhead, Westlock, Girouxville, Kindersley

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: Durum, peas, wheat, canola, oats, barley, mustard, lentils, canola

Communities impacted include: Cabri, Choiceland, Snowden, Sturgis, Arborfield, Lafleche, Gravelbourg, Coronach

Manitoba

Crops damaged: Peas, canola, wheat, silage corn, greenfeed, cereals, canola, field peas, soybeans

 Communities impacted include: Virden, Roblin, Russel, Pipestone, Minto, Melita, Elkhorn, Minitonas, Bowsman, Oakbank

 

Early harvest begins in southern Saskatchewan, Alberta 

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Producers should leave adequate sample strips for adjusters to assess crop damage as harvest begins in the southern regions of Saskatchewan and Alberta, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 646 claims of crop damage from storms that occurred July 10-16

Companies contributing to this report are Rain and Hail Insurance Service, Palliser Insurance, Agriculture Financial Services Corporation and Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation,

CCHA President Scott McQueen, of Palliser Insurance, said claim activity remains low throughout the western provinces.

“Harvest is starting to roll in some of the southern regions of Saskatchewan and Alberta,” he said. “We ask producers to leave strips if adjusters haven’t been out to assess their damage. All companies are getting to claims on a timely matter so new storms won’t push adjusters behind.”

High levels of heat and low moisture continue to burden crops in many areas across the prairies, said Tyson Ryhorchuk of Rain and Hail Insurance Service.

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

Alberta

Crops damaged: Canola, Barley, Corn, Wheat, Peas, Alfalfa, Barley, Beans, Corn, Fababean, Flax, Grass Seed, Lentils, Mixed Grain, Mustard, Oats, Potatoes, Rye, Triticale, Wheat

Communities impacted include: Delia, Barrhead, Ft.McLeod, Wetaskiwin, Stavely, Daysland, Stettler, Magrath, Turin, Rolling Hills, Scandia, Indus, Dalemead, Mossleigh, Carstairs, Didsbury, Dickson, Spruceview, Hanna, Rowley, Trochu, Big Valley, Gadsby, Donalda, Heisler, Daysland, Hay Lakes, Viking, Warburg, Tofield, St. Paul, Mallaig, Therien, Glendon, Radway, Sandy Beach, Barrhead, Thunder Lake, Edson, Sexsmith, Little Smoky, McLennan, Girouxville, Rycroft, Falher, Nampa, Worsley

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: Canola, Peas, Durum

Communities impacted include: Golden Prairie, Fox Valley, Cabri, Canora, Kinistino, Rosthern, Nipwain

Manitoba

Crops damaged: Canola, Grain Corn, Sunflowers, Soybeans, Red Spring, Wheat, Field Peas, Barley

Communities impacted include: Steinbach, Mitchell, Sundown, St Claude, Virden, Roblin

 

Storms drop golf-ball size hail as part of Western Canada struggles with grasshoppers

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Storms damaged crops across Western Canada with pea-to-golf ball size hail while part of Saskatchewan is battling a grasshopper infestation along with windy and dry conditions, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred June 26 – July 2.

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, Palliser Insurance, Agriculture Financial Services Corporation and Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation.

CCHA President Scott McQueen, of Palliser Insurance, said hail activity has picked up, especially in Manitoba and Alberta.

“We are still seeing a wide variety of damages in all three provinces,” he said. “Damages also range in severity due to crop maturity. We are seeing the more advanced crops hit the hardest with less established crops absorbing the damage much better. Harvest will likely be much earlier than years past and CCHA member companies are looking to stay on top of claims as best they can.”

Darryl Tiefenbach, of Co-operative Hail Insurance Company, said the southern third of the Saskatchewan grain belt is battling large grasshopper infestations and some areas are also seeing stressed crops due to many windy days and not much precipitation.

“The prairie provinces could all use a few timely rains to help crops and pastures,” he said.

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

Alberta

Crops damaged: Wheat, canola, barley, corn silage, cereals, canola, faba beans, fax, hemp, lentils, mustard, peas, potatoes, soybeans.

Communities impacted include: Beiseker, Galahad, Acme, Ponoka, Strome, Vermilion, Vegreville, New Norway, Killam, Sedgewick, Lloydminster, Chestermere, Crossfield, Irricana, Carstairs, Didsbury, Leslieville, Eckville, Sylvan Lake, Penhold, Rimbey, Ponoka, Bashaw, Castor, Bulwark, Fleet, Throne, Consort, Monitor, Donalda, Galahad, Maskwachis,  Daysland, Strome, Lougheed, Hardisty, Edgerton, Kavanagh, Ryley, Irma, Ranfurly,  Andrew, Kitscoty, Clandonald, Dewberry, Heinsburg, Tulliby Lake, Westlock, Clyde, Grassland.

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: Canola, wheat, oats, barley, soybeans, peas.

Communities impacted include: Battleford, Kenaston, Wilkie, Maymont, Warman, Yorkton, Kenaston, North Battleford, Meadow Lake, Imperial, Leoville

Manitoba

Crops damaged: Canola, wheat, barley, peas, soybeans.

Communities impacted include: Notre Dame, Minto, Sifton, Hamiota, Dauphin, Waskada Glenboro, Rossburn, Brandon, Fork River, Minitonas, Killarney, Rathwell to South of Portage, Souris, Rivers, Oak River, Austin, Macgregor.

Conditions vary across Western Canada as storms damage crops

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Storms damaged crops with pea-to-toonie sized hail, heavy rain and high wind, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred June 1-25.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 1,000 claims of crop damage during the time period.

Companies contributing to this report are Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation, Co-operative Hail Insurance Company, Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, Palliser Insurance and Municipal Hail Insurance.

CCHA President Scott McQueen, of Palliser Insurance, said crops suffered minor to severe damage.

“We’re seeing a big variety of conditions in all provinces of Western Canada,” McQueen said.  “Some areas are experiencing severe drought while others have normal to excellent moisture.”

Adjusters may need to defer assessment until a later date, in some cases, to accurately assess damage due to the stage of the crops, said Yves Dooper of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation.

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

Alberta

Crops damaged: Cereals, corn, canola, peas, flax, and faba beans.

Communities impacted include: Eckville, Red Deer, Pine Lake, Stettler, Clive, Forestburg, Ponoka, Youngstown, Oyen, Consort, Brownfield, Holden, Mannville, Vermillion, Kitscoty, Paradise Valley, Two Hills, Myrnam, Clandonald, Marwayne, Oyen, Lloydminster, Wainwright.

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: peas, soybeans, lentils, canola and other crops.

Communities impacted include: Foam Lake, Ponteix, Wymark, Battleford, Cudworth, Shaunavon, Burr, Bruno, Unity, North Battleford, Leask, Melville, Coronach.

Manitoba

Crops damaged: Cereals, grain corn, silage corn, soybeans, canola, beans, wheat.

Communities impacted include: Rivers, Hamiota, Swan River, Austin, MacGregor, Bagot, Westbourne, Rapid City, Glenboro, Boissevain, Brandon, North of Roblin, Virden.

Final report: Hail insurance industry sets record crop coverage

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The crop hail industry set yet another record with nearly $10 billion in crop hail coverage – a 20 percent increase over last year.

Producers who waited to purchase hail coverage late in 2022 likely had a problem finding it due to the unanticipated demand.

With continued strong crop pricing, combined with increasing input costs, rising fuel costs and record inflation, producers increased record crop hail coverages to ensure adequate coverage was placed on their crops.

Claim activity was at or slightly below the 5-year average. Producer premiums totaled $265 million, which was slightly above the 5-year average. This resulted in an industry loss ratio of 71 percent – down from last year but still a significant impact on participating companies.

Prairie farmers faced mixed conditions at the beginning of the season.

Alberta seeding and conditions were at or near normal despite the south being persistently dry through the winter. Timely rains helped progress crops.

Saskatchewan had an early start in the south and west portions of the province with drought like conditions still a concern along the west corridor. The dry conditions provided some impact on crop production. The east side of the province battled a cool damp spring hampering and delaying early seeding progress. A dry fall season helped to ensure that all crops were harvested. Overall crop reports indicate an average to above average production year for most producers.

After a record dry 2021, Manitoba had a very wet start to the 2022 growing season. Saturated soils delayed seeding by up to four weeks in parts of the province. A warm and moderate summer allowed most crops to catch up to near normal development. Harvest rain caused some delays and extending harvest beyond the average.

Storm frequency was below average in 2022. The number of days producing active weather was below average for most provinces. With the record coverage, the cost per claim quickly built like the clouds that cause the hail. What appears to have been an average season for storms and claims endured record high claim payments.

Manitoba’s average claim was 20 percent higher than the 5-year average. Saskatchewan’s average claim was 45 percent higher and Alberta was 41 percent higher.

2022 received fewer than average storm days throughout the summer, but the cost per claim made up for the decrease in storm days. June was the only month that provided more storm day activity than the average across much of the prairies.  With June more active than normal, the year overall ended up with about 20 percent less active days from the 5-year average.

Hardest hit was Alberta with an industry loss ratio of 98 percent compared to 2021’s 97 percent. Saskatchewan followed with a 68 percent loss ratio, compared to 133 percent in 2021.  Manitoba reported a 43 percent loss ratio compared to 21 percent in 2021.

The Canadian prairie storm season runs June through October. This year July, August, and September saw reduced storm activity. Though claim day activity for the year saw a decrease, the 5-year average for claim frequency, or number of claims to policy, saw an increase of 28 percent – meaning more claims were filed with limited storms.

Alberta crop hail results continue to be clouded with storm activity

Alberta’s storm activity resulted in heavier-than-average loss expense for the industry. The claim-to-policy ratio was 18 percent above the 5-year average.  Average cost per claim saw an increase of more than 41 percent of the 5-year average.  More than $94 million was paid out to Alberta producers in hail claims.

Total sums insured saw 14 percent increase from 2021, with average rates charged reporting a slight increase likely due to industry results.

Saskatchewan records average hail loss year

2022 was a below average loss year for Saskatchewan based on cost of losses to sums insured. However, the loss results show a different story with an average paid loss ratio of 68 percent. The claim to policy ratio was 36 percent higher than average, and average claim paid 45 percent higher than average, resulting in $143 million being paid to producers.

Total sums insured saw a 26 percent increase year-over-year, likely due to the increase crop prices and cost related to inputs.

The industry average rate charged appears to have reached its lowest historic point last year.  A small increase was realized in the 2022 year.

Manitoba records positive results despite the late start to the season.

Seeding was later than normal due a very wet spring. Saturated soils delayed seeding by up to 4 weeks in areas.  A warm moderate summer followed in July, allowing crops to nearly catch up to normal development.  A later harvest with a few rain delays led to an extended harvest.

Manitoba’s hail season saw below average hail activity. Like the other provinces however average cost per claim was higher than the 5-year average. The combination of lighter activity and increased cost per claim provided a higher-than-average loss ratio at 43 percent, resulting in $31 million being paid to producers.

Manitoba’s most expensive storm occurred in the southwest corner on Aug. 23.

Total sums insured saw an increase of over 25 percent from 2021 with average rates mostly remaining flat.