Adjusters are working to document crop damage across western Canada as harvest continues in the wake of damaging storms, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred Aug. 22, 24-25 and 27-28.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 700 claims of crop damage during the time period.

Darryl Tiefenbach, of Additional Municipal Hail, said storms damaged crops in the Saskatchewan communities of Loon Lake, Kindersley, Rosetown, Milden, Conquest, Outlook, Davidson, Kenaston, Jansen, Annaheim, Buchanan, Melville, Yorkton and Churchbridge.

“We expect there will be some heavy damaged areas as crops are fairly ripe and more prone to shelling. We will be starting to adjust these claims on Sept. 2 and expect to have them all adjusted by Sept. 11-12. This year has seen an average hail occurrence so far and we wish farmers all the best as they continue harvest.”

Brendan Blight, of Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation, said storms produced pea size hail and damaged crops in the Manitoba community of Russell

Jackie Sanden, of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, said storms damaged crops in the Alberta communities of Camrose, northeast and northwest of Lamont, north of Athabasca, west of Smoky Lake, Sedgewick, northwest of Wainwright, northeast of Ponoka, Grande Prairie, southeast of Lacombe, east of Vulcan and southwest of Thorhild, northwest of Barrhead, northeast of Oyen, and west of Sounding Lake.

Cassandra Holt, of Canadian Hail Agencies, said storms damaged crops in the Saskatchewan communities of Yorkton, Outlook, Simpson, Rhein, Roblin, Calder, and Fiske. In Alberta, storms damaged crops in Coronation.

Murray Bantle, of Co-operative Hail Insurance Company, said storms damaged cereals, oilseeds, and pulses in the Manitoba communities of Angusville, Foxwarren, Russell, Oakburn and Neepawa. Damaged ranged from light to heavy.

“Currently we are 80 percent complete on claims in Manitoba,” he said. “The adjusters are still completing claims from the July 19-21 storms.”

In Saskatchewan, he said storms damaged cereals, oilseeds and pulses in Lake Lenore , Bladworth, Churchbridge, Conquest, Davidson, Dinsmore, Imperial, Langenburg, Melville, Outlook, Rhein, Rosetown, Saltcoats, Swift Current, WIllowbank and Yorkton.

“A large storm path began on the afternoon of Aug. 27 in west-central Saskatchewan and moved eastward into Manitoba leaving a large path of hail damage on advancing crops and creating a large number of claims of which are still coming in,” he said. “Depending on where our adjuster teams start working from it could be at least 14 days for us to view the damage.  With harvest underway we ask producers to be patient.  Please ensure you leave adequate samples.  If you are unsure of what to leave contact your company for advice. Prior to this storm, Saskatchewan claims were 70 percent complete.”

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

“We are seeing some heavier damage in the standing canola crops from the Aug. 27 storm,” he said. “All damage ranges from light to heavy on all crops reported in the storm.”

Tyson Ryhorchuk, of Rain and Hail Insurance Service, said storms damaged crops in the Saskatchewan communities of Glenside, Outlook, Kenaston, Lanigan, Yorkton, Saltcoats, Willowbrook and Langenburg. In Manitoba, storms damaged crops in Russell and Virden.

“Adjusters are working tirelessly to complete claims as soon as possible,” he said. “Producers with claims are asked to leave adequate strips in fields they are harvesting.”

Crop insurance adjusters are working to stay ahead of the combines after storms damaged crops across western Canada with harvest well underway, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred Aug. 14 and Aug. 18-22.

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

Darryl Tiefenbach, of Additional Municipal Hail, said storms damaged crops in the Saskatchewan communities of Langenburg and Spy Hill.

“There was 2-3 inches of rain in this area, with the hail, and that is making swathing canola challenging since the farmers are not able to see where there is standing water in some of the low spots,” he said. “Harvest is now well underway and there is a high percentage of peas and lentils being harvested through the south of the province. Conventional canola is starting to be swathed as well as cereals. The forecast for this coming week looks good for harvest to continue. A much better start to harvest in 2020 versus 2019.”

Tyson Ryhorchuk, of Rain and Hail Insurance Service, said storms damaged crops in the Manitoba communities of Morris, Letellier, Virden, Dominion City and Emerson. In Alberta, storms damaged crops in Wanham.

“Consistent extreme hot weather across the prairies in this past week has pushed many crops into maturity,” he said. “As it is now common see equipment moving in the fields, we would like to wish all operations a safe harvest.”

Murray Bantle, of Co-operative Hail Insurance Company, said storms damaged cereals, pulses and oilseeds in the Manitoba communities of Kenville, Roland, Altona, Binscarth, Decker, Miniota, St Jean, Emerson, Cartwright, Newdale and Russell.

“Damage is variable to ripening crops,” he said. “Please leave adequate samples for adjusters to examine the damage.”

In Saskatchewan, he said storms damaged oilseeds, cereals and pulses in Alida, Regina, Lajord, Sedley, Strongfield, Langenburg and Stockholm.

“There were various degrees of damage on ripening crops,” he said. “Pulse crops are advancing fast and the damage is heavier.”

Jackie Sanden, of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, said storms damaged crops in the Alberta communities of Kitscoty, Edgerton Mayerthorpe, Radway and Worsley.

Scott McQueen, of Palliser Insurance, said storms damaged crops in the Saskatchewan community of Lagenburg.

In Alberta, he said storms damaged crops in Worsley, Wanham, Manning, Keg River, Ferintosh, Wetaskwin and Galahad. In Manitoba, storms damaged crops in Russell, Binscarth, Solsgirth, Dominion City, Virden, Hamiota, Arborg, Birtle, Isabella, Emerson, Minnedosa and Oakburn.

“Claims are starting to go quick with fields opening up due to harvest,” he said. “Better access to fields speeds up the number of claims adjusted in a day.”

Cassandra Holt, of Canadian Hail Agencies, said storms damaged crops in the Alberta communities of Killam and Beaver County.

In Saskatchewan, she said storms damaged crops in McCord. In Manitoba, storms damaged crops in Letellier, Dominion City, and Emerson.

Brendan Blight, of Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation, said storms produced pea-size hail and damaged crops in Russell and Dominion City.

“Harvest has started in lots of areas so adjustments will have to done quickly to stay ahead of the combines,” he said.

Storms produced golf-ball size hail that damaged crops across western Canada and spawned a massive tornado that killed two people in Manitoba, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Shayna Barnesky and Carter Tilbury and the entire community in Manitoba,” said Rick Omelchenko, CCHA president. “We are here, as partners, to help the farm families impacted by this storm and the others across the region.”

The storms occurred Aug. 1-9.

CCHA member companies are investigating about 400 claims of crop damage during the time period with many claims still coming in.

Murray Bantle, of Co-operative Hail Insurance Company, said storms damaged cereals, pulses and oilseeds in the Saskatchewan communities of Neilburg, Senlac, Carlyle, Lemburg, Midale, Stoughton, Consul, Estevan and Vibank.  Pea to golf-ball size hail was reported.

“For June, 98 percent of the claims have been adjusted, with a 55 percent decrease in claims reported and a 50 percent decrease in the average claim and a 4 percent increase in the number of days with reported hail from the 5-year average,” he said. “For July, 60 percent of claims have been adjusted with a 14 percent decrease in claims reported for the month. So far, our average claim is on par with the 5-year average. The number of days with claim activity is on average.”

Beth Shewkenek, of AG Direct Hail Insurance, said storms damaged crops in the Alberta community of Drumheller.

Jackie Sanden, of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation said storms damaged crops in the Alberta communities from Crossfield to Drumheller and Consort to Provost.

They also hit Stettler to Killam and Vermilion and north to Kitscoty, Sanden said. There were pockets of claims near Water Valley, West of Didsbury and Olds, near Torrington and Trochu, and in Eckville, Warburg and Barrhead. A small number of claims were reported near Wrenthan and south of Stony Plain, she said.

Cassandra Holt, of Canadian Hail Agencies, said storms damaged crops in the Alberta communities of Drumheller, Rosedale, Viking, Heisler, Stettler, Barrhead, Rosebud, Strome, Forestburg, Provost, Alliance, and Killam.

In Saskatchewan, she said storms damaged crops in Cutknife, Norquay, Unity, and Consul.

“As harvest gets underway, we remind all policyholders to review their hail insurance provider’s protocol for harvesting prior to inspection,” she said.

Brendan Blight, of Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation, said storms damaged canola, wheat and soybeans in the Manitoba communities of Virden, Birtle and Hamiota. They produced pea-size hail and high winds with the tornado south of Virden.

He said agency offices continue to take calls about claims from these storms.

Darryl Tiefenbach, of Additional Municipal Hail, said storms damaged crops in the Saskatchewan communities of Macklin, Unity, Neilburg, Richmound, Maple Creek, Moose Jaw, Lajord, Francis, Estevan, Torquay, Midale and Lampman. He said wind and rain are factors in adjusting for damage.

“There are varying amounts of damage in the areas,” he said. “These were spotty storms and isolated in nature.”

Scott McQueen, of Palliser Insurance, said farmers reported storms that produced half-inch hail in Alberta, Saskatchewan and parts of Manitoba. Strong wind is a factor in adjusting for damage.

“With crops now in advanced stages we are starting to see some heavier losses in the cereals and pulses,” he said. “Farmers should leave adequate test strips if they are harvesting crops prior to adjustment.”

Storms dropped hail as large as golf balls across western Canada and produced wind and rain that will be factors in adjusting for crop damage, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred July 17-18 and July 20-25.

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

Murray Bantle, of Co-operative Hail Insurance Company, said storms damaged cereals, oilseed and pulses in the Manitoba communities of Russel, Foxwarren, Rossburn, Cartwright, Gladstone, Mather and Plumas.

“Most claims this week were due to scattered thunderstorms,” he said. “July 23 was the heaviest day. Claims are still coming in.”

In Saskatchewan, he said storms damaged a variety of crops in Clavet, Saltcoates, Yorkton, Chamberlain, Lemberg, Weyburn, Alameda, Carievale, Estevan, Frobisher, Glen Ewen and North Portal.

June claims are 95 percent complete in Saskatchewan, he said. Early July claims are about 40 percent complete.

“These storms caused considerable damage in northeast Saskatchewan and south central Saskatchewan,” he said. “We currently have a number of claims deferred. We defer claims due to the fact that we are unable to determine the damage due to the stage of the crop when it was damaged. We defer to a later date to be able to assess the recovery to the plant, if any.”

Brendan Blight of Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation, said storms produced pea size hail that damaged all crops in the Manitoba communities of Crystal City, Cartwright, North of Austin, south of Gladstone and Swan River.

“The July 23 storm caused minor damage,” he said. “We are still getting claims registered and getting a handle on amount of damage from the July 25 storm.”

Beth Shewkenek, of AG Direct Hail Insurance, said storms damaged crops in the Alberta communities between Calgary and Drumheller.

Scott McQueen, of Palliser Insurance Company, said storms damaged crops in the Alberta communities of Brooks, Champion, Barrhead, Three Hills, Trochu, Drumheller, Olds, Beiseker, Brooks, Strathmore, Drumheller and New Brigden.

In Manitoba, he said storms damaged crops in Rossburn, Angusville, Clearwater, Crystal City and Swan River. In Saskatchewan, he said storm damaged crops in Beechy, Moose Jaw, Yorkton, Carnduff, Gainsborough, Wilkie, Unity, Major, Luseland, North Battleford, Mayfair and Rabbit Lake.

Jackie Sanden, of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, said storms damaged crops in the Alberta communities of Burdett, Milk River, New Dayton, Wrentham, Taber, Madden, Crossfield, Didsbury, Olds, Camp Creek, Lyalta and Cheadle.

Cassandra Holt, of Canadian Hail Agencies, said storms damaged canola, wheat, barley, and peas in the Saskatchewan. The storms hit the communities of Luseland, Oxbox, Alameda, Wilkie, Major, Kerrobert, Mayfair, Rockhaven, Edam, Denzil and Meota.

In Alberta, she said storms damaged barley, wheat, oats, canola, peas, lentils, and corn. The storms hit the communities of Leslieville, Huxley, Rumsey, Calgary, Drumheller, Rosebud, Carbon, Rosedale, and Provost.

In Manitoba, she said storms damaged canola, soybeans, barley, wheat, corn, and sunflower. The storms hit the communities of Gladstone, Glenboro, Clearwater, Crystal City, Dauphin and Bowsmen.

Darryl Tiefenbach, of Additional Municipal Hail, said storms produced pea-to-nickel size hail in Saskatchewan. They damaged crops in the communities of North Battleford, Speers, Mayfair, Major, Spring Valley, Estevan, Oxbow and Alameda.

“These were spotty storms, which generally don’t have large losses,” he said.

In Saskatchewan, he said storms produced golf-ball size hail. They damaged crops in Wilkie, Unity, North Battleford, Cut Knife, Neilburg, Mayfair, Rabbit Lake, Meota and Paynton.

Wind and rain are factors in adjusting for damage, he said.

“Based on some pictures of the crops in the core of the storm path, there will be some major damage to adjust,” he said.

Heavy rain and flooding are contributing to crop damage from hailstorms in parts of western Canada, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred June 20-28 and July 2-4.

CCHA member companies are investigating about 120 claims of crop damage during the time period.

Murray Bantle, of Cooperative Hail Insurance Company, said storms damaged wheat, canola and beans in southern Manitoba from La Riviere Plum Coulee to Stienbach and also in Rossburn. Damage reports range from light to heavy with reports still coming in.

Also in Manitoba, storms damaged cereal, pulses and oilseeds in Brandon, Foxwarren, Rossburn and Hamiota, Melita, Reston.

“There was some flooding with large amounts of rain through the Brandon region,” Bantle said.

In Saskatchewan, Bantle said scattered storms damaged crops in Churchbridge, Calder, Biggar and Estevan. A larger storm on July 2 damaged crops in Arborfield, Carrot River, Melfort, Lake Lenore, Tisdale. He said farmers are reporting heavy damage in Tisdale.

Also in Saskatchewan, storms damaged cereals, canola and peas in Neudorf and Plenty.

Cassandra Holt, of Canadian Hail Agencies, said storms damaged crops in Saskatchewan near Star City, Semans, and, Assiniboia.

“Farmers reported hail damage for a series of storms that occurred throughout the entire week in Saskatchewan,” she said.

In Manitoba, she said farmers reported damage to barley, soybeans, canola, and oats in Brandon and Hamiota. In Alberta, farmers reported damage to barley and canola in Coalhurst, Coaldale, Holt said. Farmers also reported a storm in the Lethbridge area.

Jackie Sanden, of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, said storms damaged crops in the Alberta communities of Neerlandia, Thorhild, Warner, Chin, Nobleford, Turin, Millarville, Medicine Hat and Hilda. The damage was variable and is still under investigation.

Beth Shewkenek, of AG Direct Hail Insurance, said storms damaged crops in southern Alberta. Details were not immediately available. She also reported damage in Saskatchewan.

#####

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.