Storms hit crops with marble size hail in Western Canada

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Storms produced marble size hail resulting in light to complete crop damage across Western Canada has harvest continues, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred Aug. 22-Sept. 1.

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

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

CCHA President Scott McQueen, of Palliser Insurance, said late season storms have impacted mature crops.

“Crops are now mature and ripe in most areas and harvest is within the 5-year average for this time of the year,” he said. “Ripe standing crops are not able to sustain the hail damage as well as crops hit in the swath and we are seeing this in our claimed acres. Storms have produced marble sized hail and damaged areas have reported light damage to complete loss of crop. Light to medium hail losses have been the trend this growing season as well as high winds and rain accompanying hailstorms.”

He said higher than normal temperatures are helping turn the crop ready for harvest.

“Harvest is underway for most producers,” he said. “As shared previously, we encourage farmers to use adequate samples test strips for adjusters if hailed fields need to be harvested. If you are unsure what to leave, please contact your crop hail insurance provider for help.”

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

Alberta

Crops damaged: Alfalfa, barley, canola, corn, flax, lentils, mustard, oats, peas, sugar beets, triticale, wheat.

 Communities impacted include: Cardston, Magrath, Milk River, Warner, Fort Macleod, Okotoks, Blackie, Gleichen, Bassano, Gem, Acadia Valley, Barrhead.

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: Wheat, canola, barley, oats, lentils, peas.

Communities impacted include: Consul, Assiniboia, Briercrest, Central Butte, Coderre, Colonsay, Coronach, Humboldt, Kenaston, Moose Jaw, Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Viceroy, Weyburn, Willow Bunch, Choiceland, D’Arcy, Desisle, Dundurn, Eatonia, Fiske, Holdfast, Langham, Lloydminster, Norquay, Plenty, Saskatoon, St. Denis, Stranraer, Wakaw, Weyburn, Arcola, Beechy, Watrous, Ogema, Ceylon, Herschel, Blaine Lake, Buchanan, Stornoway, Alida, Beechy.

Manitoba

Crops damaged: Soybean, canola, wheat, oats, peas, cereals, corn, greenfeed, pintos, soybeans, flax.

Communities impacted include: Foxwarren, Boissevain, Brandon, Deloraine, Goodlands, Harney, Mariapolis, Medora, Melita, Minto, Nesbitt, Souris, St. Alphonse, Stanley, Wawanesa, Winkler, Birtle, Oakburn, Crystal City, Pilot Mound.

Adjusters work to stay ahead of harvest as storms slow

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Insurance adjusters are working seven days a week to stay ahead of harvest in Western Canada as hailstorms become less frequent but still destructive, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred Aug. 15-21.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 1,300 claims of crop damage during the time period.

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

CCHA President Scott McQueen, of Palliser Insurance, said crops are ready for harvest or close to being ready, which leaves them susceptible to hail.

“As the season rolls on, producer awards continue to increase in size,” he said.  “Small storms can still produce heavy damage because of the condition of the crop. Producers are in the full swing of harvest and many are working day and night. Fields have been opened up and many are swathed. Adjusters are working seven days a week trying to get to as many clients as possible to avoid leaving samples in the field.”

Tyson Ryhorchuk, of Rain and Hail Insurance Service, said adjusters are working hard to attend to claims as quickly as possible in this extremely busy time of year.

“If farmers have claims and need to harvest damaged fields, we ask that they review the harvest strip instructions and adhere to the check strip requirements for their chosen company,” he said.

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

 Alberta

Crops damaged: Barley, canola, corn, faba bean, flax, mustard, oats, peas, potatoes, and wheat

Communities impacted include: Hillard, Wildwood, Nobleford, Coalhurst, Mundare, Monarch, Barons, Vegreville, Claresholm, Spring Creek, Woking, Rivière Qui Barre, Chipman, Hilliard, Warwick, Granum.

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: Cereals, pulses, oilseeds, wheat, peas, durum, canary, lentils

Communities impacted include: Churchbridge, Fillmore, Francis, Montmartre, Osage, Richardson, Wawota, Biggar, Gladmar, Shellbrook, Craik, Lumsden, Maryfield, Ceylon, Chamberlain, Cudworth, Kendal, Weyburn, Odessa, Lagenburg, Norquay, Francis, Alvena, Canora, Creelman, Choiceland, Smeaton, Stenen, Carnduff.

Manitoba

Crops damaged: Canola, cereals, peas, corn, soybeans, sunflowers, flax

Communities impacted include: Deloraine, Grandview, Bowsman, Swan River, Boissevain, Hamiota, Pierson, Rossburn, Strathclair, Brandon, Crystal City, Swan River, Rathwell.

Early August storms less organized but still destructive

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Sporadic storms produced significant hail damage across parts of Western Canada in early August, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred Aug. 1-5.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 1,800 claims of crop damage during the time period.

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

One storm produced softball size hail near Alberta’s Innsfail community.

CCHA President Scott McQueen, of Palliser Insurance, said some parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan saw complete crop devastation.

“Corn crops chopped down to a foot tall, canola plants turned into sticks, cereal crops completely decimated,” he said. “August 1 was the most potent day of the week in terms of claim numbers and claim damage.”

Rick Omelchenko, of Ag Direct Hail Insurance, said adjusters are working hard to stay ahead of the combines and continuous storm activity.

“Please leave adequate check strips for our adjusters to make an accurate assessment. If you have any questions call your insurers to be sure,” he said.

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

 Alberta

Crops damaged: Cereals, pulses, legumes, grasses, specialty crops

 Communities impacted include: Gliechen, Bassano, Acadia Valley, Balzac, Airdrie, Kathryn, Keoma, Rockyford, Sundre, Didsbury, Rocky Mountain House, Alhambra, Markerville, Penhold, Innisfail, Pine Lake, Huxley, Elnora, Endiang, Scapa, Red Deer, Stettler, Castor, Fleet, Rimbey, Ponoka, Lacombe, Clive, Camrose, Stony Plain, Bilby, Calahoo, Newbrook, Waskatenau, Wembley, La Glace, Valhalla, Rycroft

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: Cereals, pulses, oilseeds, legumes, grasses, specialty crops, canola, lentils, peas

Communities impacted include: Eatonia, Maple Creek, Big River, Codette, Saskatoon, Yorkton, Wilkie, Landis, Cupar, Grenfell, Broadview, Clavet, Hudson Bay, Humboldt, Melville, Yorkton, Arborfield, Archerwill, Carrot River, Codette, Debden, Nipawin, Septre.

Manitoba

Crops damaged: Canola, Fall Rye, Soybeans, Oats, Perennial Ryegrass, Timothy Seed

Communities impacted include: Lac du Bonnet, Beausejour, Shoal Lake

Insurance companies remain on schedule in assessing hail damage

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Insurance companies continue to urge growers to leave adequate samples of damaged crops as they assess hailstorm damage across Western Canada, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred July 25-31.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 1,200 claims of crop damage during the time period.

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

CCHA President Scott McQueen, of Palliser Insurance, said mid-to-late July brought more intense storms producing heavy damage in Saskatchewan and Alberta. July 31 produced the bulk of the claims for his company with damage raging from light to heavy.

“Companies are still on time when it comes to assessing damage,” he said. “If you are harvesting your crops, please leave adequate samples for your adjuster. If you are not sure what to leave, give your insurance provider a call and they will help you out.”

Darryl Tiefenbach, of Additional Municipal Hail Insurance, also said the west-central border between Saskatchewan and Alberta appears to have been hit the hardest.

“We will expect to see some very severe hailstorm damage to all crop types,” he said. “This storm travelled in a northwest to southeast path with the core of the storm through Kindersley, Eston and Glidden.”

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

 Alberta

Crops damaged: Barley, canola, corn, faba beans, lentils, oats, onions, peas, potatoes, rutabaga, rye, triticale, wheat.

 Communities impacted include: Cremona, Munson, Sundre, Condor, Leslieville, Blackfalds, Wetaskiwin, Millet, Riley, Holden, Daysland, Rosalind, Heisler, Forestburg, Alliance, Castor, Coronation, Veteran, Brownfield, Hughenden, Edgerton, Chauvin, McLaughlin, Paradise Valley, Fort Saskatchewan, Worsley, Hines Creek, Fairview, Bluesky, Eaglesham, Girouxville, Guy, Grande Prairie

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: Cereals, oilseeds and pulses

Communities impacted include: White Fox, Luseland, Viceroy, Bengough, Canora, Kamsack, Senlac, Macklin, Marengo, Eatonia, Kindersley, Glidden, Eston, Milden, Beechy, Rush Lake, Hodgeville, Mortlach, Chaplin, Goodeve, Lampman, Swift Current, Eston, Herbert, Kindersley, Kyle, Morse, Rickglen, Rosetown, Tramping Lake, Waldeck

Manitoba

Crops damaged: All types.

Communities impacted include: Manitou, Darlingford, Broad Valley, Roblin.

Growers urged to leave adequate crop samples as harvest approaches

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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.

Storm damage increases as crops mature across Western Canada

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Storms continue to result in light-to-medium damage in most areas but maturing crops mean significant losses in some cases, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred July 11-17.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 2,100 claims of crop damage during the time period.

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

CCHA President Scott McQueen of Palliser Insurance said adjusters are seeing heavier damage to all types of crops.

“As crops mature, they become more susceptible to hail and therefore payments start to increase leading up to harvest,” he said. “We are also seeing complete crop devastation in isolated areas with golf ball size hail. Light to medium hail is still the trend right now with odd small areas receiving total destruction. Harvest in some areas is right around the corner so we encourage farmers to leave adequate samples for adjusters. If you are unsure what to leave, please contact your crop hail insurance provider for help.”

Murray Bantle, of Co-operative Hail Insurance, said the most severe storms occurred on July 17.

“Three major cells along, with various pop-up cells, created the largest storms of the week resulting in 60 percent of the claims,” he said. “A storm tracking west from the Alberta border left a 110-kilometer line of damage from Kerrobert east to Biggar. Early reports indicate this area has some severe crop damage. A second storm line caused sporadic damage over a 400-kilometer line from Elbow tracking southeast to Redvers continuing on to Manitoba. The third cell, 100 kilometers long, stretched from Ogema to Oungre on an east-southeast path.”

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

 Alberta

Crops damaged: cereals, Oilseeds, pulses, legumes barley, canola, corn, faba bean, flax, forages, lentils, oats, peas, potatoes, rye, triticale, wheat, oats and silage crops.

 Communities impacted include: Carstairs, Didsbury, Linden, Sundre, Eagle Hill, Olds, Torrington, Three Hills, Stauffer, Penhold, Red Deer, Delburne, Rocky Mountain House, Condor, Eckville, Sylvan Lake, Bentley, Lacome, Alix, Leahurst, Alliance, Bluffton, Crestomere, Ponoka, Bashaw, Maskwacis, Coronation, Veteran, Consort, Monitor, Hanna, Sedelia, New Brigden, Trochu, Galahad, Ponoka, Stettler, Provost.

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: cereals, oilseeds, pulses, lentils, pea, wheat, durum, canola, oats, barley

Communities impacted include: Southey, Craik, Holdfast, Avonhurst, Duvall, Earl Grey, Edenwold, Esterhazy, Imperial, Odessa, Southey, Strasbourg, Vibank, Warman, Bulyea, Markinch, Redvers, Whitewood, Biggar, Brownlee, Central Butte, Ceylon, Chamberlain, Handel, Kerrobert, Landis, Loreburn, Luseland, Manor, Montmartre, Moose Jaw, Odessa, Oungre, Radville, Tribune, Tugaske, Wawota, Weyburn, Allan, Kenaston, Govan, Stalwart, Pilot Butte, Balgonie, Wolsley, Francis, Cupar, Qu’Appelle, Grenfell, Moosomin, Kerrobert, Kelfield, Loreburn, Bethune, Marquis, Pangman, Ceylon, Duval, Regina, Pense, Kerrobert, Macklin, Weyburn, Kenaston, Davidson, Major, Viscount.

Manitoba

Crops damaged: cereals, oilseeds, pulses, edible beans, canola, soybeans, potatoes, wheat, hemp, peas, oats.

Communities impacted include: Winkler, Minto, Brandon, Margaret, Nesbitt, Ninette, Boissevain, Wawanesa, Souris.

For more information and past reports: cropinsuranceincanada.org

Crop damage moderate after recent storms

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Hail damage ranged from light to medium after recent storms across Western Canada and insurance adjusters remain on pace to complete claims in a timely manner, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred June 25-July 2.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 1,450 claims of crop damage during the time period.

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

Some areas are also affected by drought. Later seeding and cooler temperatures have affected crop maturity. Other areas very wet and that has delayed access to the fields but adjusters are still able to complete most claims quickly.

CCHA President Scott McQueen, of Palliser Insurance Company, said the adjuster force is working across all three provinces.

“Damage continues to be light to medium in most areas,” he said. “Crops seem more advanced in Alberta compared to Saskatchewan and Manitoba.”

Yves Dooper, of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, adjusters with his company are currently focused on storms from June 1-July 22.

“The stage of the crop and the severity of some damage will result in our adjusters deferring settlement in some cases to assess the loss more accurately, but many claims will be settled on the first visit,” he said.

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

Alberta

Crops damaged: Cereals, oilseeds, pulses, and a few specialty crops.

 Communities impacted include: Barrhead, Camrose, New Norway, Eckville, Sylvan Lake, Penhold, Innisfail, Olds, Beiseker, Three Hills, Morin, Drumheller, Hanna, Rockyford, Delia, Holden, Wainright, Penhold, High River, Brooks, Oyen, Trochu, Bowden, Acadia Valley, Vermilion, Strathmore, Leslieville, Condor, Spruceview, Disdbury, Torrington, Elnora, Rumsley, Chestermere, Langdon, Lyalta, Aldersyde, Carseland, Mossleigh, Schuler, Rosemary, Hussar, Hay Lakes, Viking and Irma.

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: Cereals, oilseeds, pulses, canola, barley, wheat, peas and lentils.

Communities impacted include: Neilberg, Meota, Biggar, Kenasten, Imperial, Strasbourg, Southey, Regina Beach, Regina, Vibank, Esterhazy, Choiceland, Meath Park, Naicam, Wilkie Saskatoon, Langenburg, Burstall, Leader, Sceptre, Eatonia, Glidden, Shamrock, Govan, Leross, Semans, Wilcox, Arran, Major, Luseland, Radville, Ceylon, Minton, Jansen, Melville Leader, Naicam, Southey, Major, Abbey, Cabri, Fox Valley, Gull Lake, Leader, Prelate,Swift Current, Archerwill, Grayson, Yorkton, Kerrobert and Minton.

Manitoba

Crops damaged: Cereals, oilseeds, pulses, wheat, oats, soybeans, canola, buckwheat, grain corn, barley, field peas, beans and silage corn.

Communities impacted include: Binscarth, St. Lazare, Shoal Lake, Minnedosa, Newdale, Plumas, Swan River, Minitonas, Snow Flake, Treherne, Crystal City, Notre Dame, Killarney, Homewood, Dugald, Fork River and Bowsman.

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 Municipal Hail (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.

 

June storms damage crops across western Canada

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Growers reported mostly light storm damage to young crops across western Canada with heavy rain in some areas, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred June 20-27.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 1,280 claims of crop damage during the time period.

“We continue to see light damage to young crops in all three provinces,” said CCHA President Scott McQueen of Palliser Insurance. “More advanced crops are showing light to moderate damage with the odd field having severe damage. Heavy rainfall in some areas has slowed our adjuster force down, but there should be no risk of falling behind at this point.”

Yves Dooper, of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, said storms damaged barley, canary seed, canola, corn, flax, forage, lentil, mustard, oats, peas, fall rye, wheat, faba beans, forage and potatoes in central and west-central Alberta.

The storms hit communities including Carbon, Morrin, Drumheller, Lawsonburg, Sundre, Olds, Trochu, Markerville, Penhold, PineLake, Red Deer, Alix, Ponoka, Meeting Creek, Heisler, north of Killam and Sedgewick, north of Edgerton, and north of Oyen. They also hit northeast Calgary, Airdrie, Irricana, Hanna, west of Acadia Valley, Youngstown, Sedalia, Compeer, Donalda, Halkirk, north of Irma, north of Holden, Clandonald, Marwayne, Barrhead, Westlock, Thorhild, Smoky Lake and St Paul.

“Majority of damage was reported as light to medium, with a few heavy and severe cases reported,” he said.

Darryl Tiefenbach, of Additional Municipal Hail, said storms damaged all types if crops in the Saskatchewan communities of Marsden, Nipawin, Carrot River, Swift Current, Shamrock, Mossbank, Assiniboia and Balgonie.  Storms also hit communities including Burstall, Richmound, Stewart Valley, Craik, Bethune, Silton, Earl Grey, Southey, Semans, Raymore, Lipton, Melville, Yorkton, Stockholm, Churchbridge and Langenburg. St Walburg, Medstead, Glaslyn, St Brieux, Kelvington, Prince Albert, Melfort, Kenaston, Raymore and Langenburg.

He said hail was pea-to-baseball size. The damage was mostly light to possible moderate with heavy rain and wind in some areas also causing crop damage.

“For this week, the biggest storm event was the June 23 storm day,” he said. “This storm stretched from Alberta near Richmound with a path all the way across and through Langenburg and Churchbridge into Manitoba. The other days during this week were mainly isolated pop-up storms that did not travel long distances.”

Murray Bantle, of Co-operative Hail Insurance Company, said storms damaged cereal, oilseed and pulse in south and central Manitoba.

The storms produced hail of a variety of sized. Heavy rain is also a factor.

He said Manitoba is slightly above the 5-year average for claims in June. The average cost per claim is around the 5-year average so far.

In central Saskatchewan, storms damaged cereals, pulses and oilseeds.

Damaged ranged from light to heavy depending on the stage of the crop, he said. Heavy rain in some areas is also a factor in adjusting for crop damage.

He said Saskatchewan is well above the 5-year average for claims in June. With only a few claims completed the average cost per claim so far is above the 5-year average.

McQueen, of Palliser Insurance, said storms damaged wheat, barley, canola, lentils, peas, and soybeans in Alberta. The storms hit communities including Three Hill, Red Deer, Torrington, Drumheller, Beiseker and Barrhead.

Hail ranged from small to medium size with rain also a factor in adjusting for crop damage.

In Saskatchewan, storms damaged wheat, durum, canola, peas, lentils and soybeans, he said. The storms hit communities including Moose Jaw, Gravelbourg, Nipawin, Choiceland, Humboldt Yorkton, Rocanville, Holdfast, Esterhazy and Langenburg.

In Manitoba, storms damaged whea, canola, barley, peas and soybeans, he said. The storms hit communities including Ste. Rose, Killarney, Sandy Lake, Strathclair, Baldur, Binscarth, Neepawa and Morden.

 

Storms bring range of damage to crops across Western Canada

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Storms produced hail as large as baseballs across Western Canada resulting in minor damage to early-stage crops and significant damage to mature crops, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred June 8-25.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 649 claims of crop damage during the time period.

Darryl Tiefenbach, of Additional Municipal Hail, said storms damaged all types of crops in the Saskatchewan communities of Frontier, Climax, Fillmore, Corning, Glen Avon, Kipling, Moosomin, Rocanville, Swift Current, Shamrock, Mossbank, Spring Valley, Avonlea, Balgonie, Assiniboia, White Fox, Nipawin, Carrot River.

He said storms produced hail ranging from pea-size to as large as a baseball.

“We expect to see minimal to moderate damage in the crops at their early stage of development,” Tiefenbach said.

Heavy rain is also a factor in adjusting crop damage.

“The west half of Saskatchewan began drier than normal due to low snowfall and minimal rainfall prior to seeding but many areas have received some rainfall over the last few weeks,” Tiefenbach said. “The east half of Saskatchewan, and into Manitoba, had higher than average amounts of snowfall and above average rainfall prior to and during seeding. Seeding was later in the East half due to the slow melting snowpack and subsequent rainfall.”

Brendan Blight, of Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation, said storms damaged winter wheat, field peas, canola, oats, red spring wheat, soybeans, fall rye, barley and pinto beans in the Manitoba communities of Benito and Swan River.

He said storms produced hail raining from pea to quarter-size.

“We are still assessing the damage but so far it ranges from moderate to severe,” he said.

Yves Dooper, of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, said storms damaged canola, wheat, potatoes, dry beans, fall rye, durum and barley in the Alberta communities of Carbon, Three Hills, Viking, Mannville, Taber, Stirling, Vauxhall, Strathmore, Irricana, Olds, Innisfail,  Penhold, Stettler, Wetaskiwin and Hay Lakes.

The damage was light to medium.

Scott McQueen, of Palliser Insurance, said storms damaged all types of crops across Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta.

Storms produced hail that ranged from pea to golf ball-size.

“We are seeing a lot of light damage on early-stage crops,” he said. “With seeding a bit behind in most areas, crops are just starting to emerge from the ground resulting in light damage from hail.  We have seen some significant damage in fall rye, winter wheat, and some pea crops.”

Murray Bantle, of Co-operative Hail Insurance Company, said storms damaged various crops in the Manitoba communities of Stockton, Cypress River, Benito, Swan River, Russel, Baldur, Crystal City, Deloraine, Killarney, Oakburn, Russell, Sandy Lake, Strathclair, Gladstone, Minnedosa, Neepawa and Rossburn.

The damage was light to heavy.

Heavy rain and wet field conditions are among factors in adjusting crop damage, he said.

Bantle said storms damaged cereals, pulse and oilseeds in the Saskatchewan communities of Chamberlain, Regina, Eastend, Glenavon, Edam, Cutknife, Frontier, Rocanville Lanbank, Fillmore, Winthorst, Assiniboia, Gull Lake Tompkins, Earl Grey, Carrot River, Choiceland, Nipawin, Abbey, Bulyea, Cabri, Chamberlain, Craven, Cupar, Esterhazy, Govan, Holdfast, Imperial, Kelliher, Lake Lenore, Leross, Outlook, Richmound and Yorkton.

The damage was light to heavy.

Rick Omelchenko, of Ag Direct Hail Insurance, said storms damaged cereals, pulses, and oilseeds in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

In Alberta, the storms hit Barrhead, Camrose, New Norway, Eckville, Sylvan Lake, Penhold, Innisfail, Olds, Beiseker, Three Hills, Morin, Drumheller, Hanna, Rockyford, Delia and Strathmore.

In Saskatchewan, they hit Neilberg, Meota, Biggar, Kenasten, Imperial, Strasbourg, Southey, Regina Beach, Regina, Vibank, Esterhazy, Choiceland, Meath Park, Naicam and Langenburg

In Manitoba, storms hit Binscarth, St. Lazare, Shoal Lake, Minnedosa, Newdale, Plumas and Killarney.

“Ag Direct adjusters are out and have completed all claims up to the June 19 storm date,” Omelchenko said. “Wet conditions and steady rains have slowed adjustments but adjusters are still completing adjustments in a timely manner.”

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.

Final report: Hail insurance industry reports near-record claim payments in 2021

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The crop hail industry paid out near record payments on the prairies for 2021. Recording more than 12,000 claims, industry payments to prairie producers will total more than $322 million – an amount not seen since 2008. Producer premiums totaled more than $309 million for an industry loss ratio of 104 percent. This loss will impact the balance sheet of most participating companies.

Prairie farmers were optimistic when the seed went in the ground and it was time to purchase their crop hail insurance coverage. Dry conditions were widespread across the western prairies.  There were concerns going into the season after minimal fall moisture and little snow cover, but some timely early spring snow and rains brightened the outlook for seeding and provided hope.

Record dry was reported through southern Manitoba and a large portion of south and western Saskatchewan, as well as much of Alberta. The weather dried out quickly and with little to no reserve moisture and record heat, crops in areas soon started to suffer. By July hopes were dashed with extreme heat and drought like conditions across much of the prairies, resulting in plummeting yields. The hot and dry conditions made way for an early start to harvest. Grain prices remained at near or record levels throughout the summer and heading into harvest.

The industry set record-level sums insured of more than $8 billion as crop prices surged and spring looked promising. Producers continued to welcome industry rate declines in what continues to be a very competitive marketplace.

Storm frequency was below average in 2021. The number of days producing active weather fell below the 5-year average. Storm severity, or the cost per claim quickly built like the clouds that cause the hail. What looked to be an average storm season endured record high claim payments. All three prairie provinces had average cost per claims higher than the 5-year average. The industry saw record loss payments from the activity with storm severity (average per claim) up 78 percent compared to the 5-year average.

With the lack of moisture, the western prairies received less-than-average storm days throughout the summer, but storm severity made up for the decrease in storm days. The summer started off slow with June seeing storm activity down 25 percent from the 5-year average.  July continued with limited active weather. However, the limited storms produced in July were the start to what was to become an expensive claim season.

Hardest hit was Saskatchewan with an industry loss ratio of 134 percent compared to 2020’s 65 percent.  Alberta followed with a 97 percent loss ratio, compared to 75 percent in 2020.  Manitoba was the only province to record a positive year with a loss ratio of more than 26 percent.

The isolated severe storm tracks brought moisture to localized area producers, but the severity left little if any crop, or time for crop recovery, to an already dismal production.

The Canadian prairie storm season runs June through October. This year June and July saw limited storm activity with active storm days down by about 20 percent overall compared to the 5-year average. August activity picked up becoming more average. September, with harvest in full swing across the prairies, recorded lower than average activity. Despite the lower activity across most of the summer, claim frequency (claims to policy) ended up being down by only 4 percent compared to the 5-year average.

Alberta crop hail results clouded with storm activity

Alberta’s storm activity resulted in heavier-than-average loss expense for the industry. The claim to policy ratio was 25 percent above the 5-year average. Average cost per claim saw an increase of more than 21 percent of the 5-year average. The industry reported 9 major storm days in July and August, resulting in more than 1,200 claims and costing more than $56 million.

Alberta’s costliest day was August 31 with more than 600 claims resulting in more than $20 million being paid. Following a close second was July 22 with 495 claims and a total payout of over $17 million. Total hail payments for 2021 were more than $82 million the most expensive since 2016.

Total sums insured saw a small increase from 2020, with average rates charged reporting a slight increase, likely due to continued declining industry results.

Saskatchewan records largest crop hail payouts since 2008

This year’s hail losses rivaled the worst ever recorded for the industry, with loss payouts of more than $224 million. Only 2008 recorded higher claim payouts. This resulted in an industry loss ratio more than 130 percent.

The season had an early start on June 5 with a west central storm. However, the reminder of the summer saw limited but costly storm dates. The industry reported 4 major storm dates in July with more than 2,600 recorded claims costing more than $98 million.

August which saw a more average storm activity month recorded 5 major storm dates. It was August 31 and September 1 that pummeled the industry to its final loss numbers. With almost 1,800 claims and a cost of more than $43 million, this storm was still only the second worst of the season.

The single largest loss day was July 22 with more than 1,300 claims at a cost of more than $53 million. July accounted for more than 43 percent of claims paid for the year.

With the number of claims-to-policies being 12 percent higher than the 5-year average, it was really the severity of the damage that devastated the industry. The average cost per claim was more than double the 5-year average.

Total sums insured saw a slight increase year-over-year, likely due to the increase crop prices and early crop outlook prior to the drought and heat like conditions. With the industry average rate charged continuing to decline for 2021, the current average rates are now at or near their lowest historic levels.

Manitoba records sunny results for the hail industry

Seeding was mostly complete by early June. The absence of rain was a concern early after a dry winter. With below average precipitation through June, and some frost and pest concerns, crops had a below average start.

Manitoba’s hail season did not really get underway until mid-July. The dry summer provided little convective weather to produce storm activity. The industry reported only 4 major storms in July resulting in 419 claims with a payout of $6.4 million.

Historically July is one of the most active months. With the dry weather throughout the summer, Manitoba recorded below average claim activity. The number of claims to policy was down 66 percent from average.  Hail frequency (active weather) was down about 15 percent from average. The average cost per claim (severity) was up about 23 percent compared to the 5-year average.

Total claim payments were more than $15 million, comparable to 2020, resulting in an overall loss ratio of 26 percent. Industry reporting sums insured were up about 10 percent. The industry average rate charged saw a minimal decline, likely due to the historic loss results and the continued competitive nature of the industry.

Who we are:

The Canadian Crop Hail Association (CCHA) has been serving the crop insurance industry in one form or another since 1915. It is a member-driven organization that represents the interests of the Canadian Crop Hail managing general agencies and insurance companies. CCHA member companies write Crop-Hail insurance product totaling more than $300 million in premium, and liability totaling more than $8 billion. Our companies service agriculture producers in the western prairies. These private and government organizations together provide a risk management tool to the Western Canadian prairie farmer. 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.