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.

 

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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.

 

Canadian Crop Hail Association member companies are ready to safely help farmers lock in their hail insurance coverage for the 2020 season by following COVID-19 guidelines.

Member companies will follow all government directives and adhere to government social distancing requirements. They will allow only the owner/operator in a vehicle at any time, which means no passengers. They will also use disinfecting solutions to wipe down equipment and contact points, among other safety measures.

“This is an unprecedented time in Canadian agriculture, and we want our customers to know their safety, and the safety of our agents, is our top priority,” said Rick Omelchenko, president of the Canadian Crop Hail Association. “We are ready to help farmers manage the risks of Mother Nature as the storm season approaches with the same great service and expert advice we have provided for years.”

CCHA is expanding this year with the addition of a member in New Brunswick.

“We are pleased to welcome the New Brunswick Agricultural Insurance Commission to CCHA and excited about expanding our partnership in the east,” Omelchenko said. “This growth will increase industry participation and, in turn, provide more value to our customers.”

Last year, Canadian Crop Hail Association member companies covered more than $6.5 billion in crops. Companies paid $242 million on 16,200 claims.

Overall, Saskatchewan was hit hardest last year with an industry loss ratio of 95 percent compared to 66 percent in 2018. Alberta followed with a 90 percent loss ratio compared to 42.5 percent. Manitoba had an 85 percent loss ratio compared to 81.5 percent in 2018. The industrywide loss ratio was 92 percent in 2019 compared to 63.5 percent in 2018.

“The 2019 harvest was a challenge. We had damaging storms, cool wet weather and early snow that meant not all farmers were able to complete harvest,” Omelchenko said. “Conditions vary across Canada every season. Farmers should closely consider their hail coverage levels as we enter the storm season.”

CCHA recommends that producers have hail coverage in place early in the season. Producers may not be able to purchase hail coverage after crops are damaged by a storm, which means they would carry the full risk for the remainder of the year.

 

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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.

 

Farmers reported a decrease in hail damage across western Canada with colder weather that has meant less storm activity, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred Sept. 28-30 and Oct. 14 and 19.

CCHA member companies are investigating about 53 claims of crop damage in Manitoba and Saskatchewan during the time period.

Murray Bantle, of Cooperative Hail Insurance Company, says storms damaged soybean, wheat and canola in Manitoba.

More than 80 percent of claims for Manitoba are complete, he said.

In Saskatchewan, pea-size hail damaged canola, wheat, barley, flax, soybeans, Bantle said.

Excessive moisture and the natural breakdown of crops are among factors in adjusting, Bantle said.

Claims adjustments in Saskatchewan are nearly complete, he said.

“Damage from the September storm is well above the 5-year average,” Bantle said.

Storms in September were costly due to the amount of unharvested ripe crop still in the fields, Bantle said.

Darryl Tiefenbach of Additional Municipal Hail also reported hail damage in Saskatchewan with rain and snow among factors in adjusting.

“We are currently finishing adjusting claims from late September in the South Central and South East parts of Saskatchewan,” he said. “This has been challenging due to the high moisture levels in some areas as well as the unwelcome snowfalls.”

All claims are nearing completion for Rain and Hail Insurance, said Tyson Ryhorchuk.

 

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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. 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, Palliser Insurance Company Ltd. and Rain and Hail Insurance Service Ltd.

Farmers in western Canada reported scattered but damaging storms that dropped golf-ball sized hail in some cases along with heavy rain that is slowing investigations, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred Sept. 20-25. New reports from damaging storms on Sept. 17 and 18 continue to come in.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 700 claims of hail damage to all crops in in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba during the time period.

Murray Bantle, of Cooperative Hail Insurance Company, said the late fall storm system was wide and mainly tracked south of the Trans-Canada Highway. It damaged cereals, oilseeds, pulses, corn and other specialty crops, he said.

“This storm was extremely wet and brought lots of rain,” he said. “Producers should be patient as we work to investigate claims and leave adequate samples for adjusters.”

An appropriate check strip for crop damage is at least 20 by 30 feet in the four corners and in the middle of the field.

Tyson Ryhorchuk, of Rain and Hail Insurance Service, also said the rain is slowing investigations.

“We ask that all producers remain patient as the ground saturation from recent heavy rainfall has greatly delayed the speed in which our adjusters can investigate claims,” he said.

CCHA member companies are finishing adjustments for summer storm damage.

Bantle said August storm claims are now complete at Cooperative Hail. They are at the 5-year average for that month. The average payable claim in August was slightly below the 5-year average, indicating less damage to crops.

September, he said, is a different story.

A major storm on Sept. 17, and other storms, pushed the number of claims above the 5-year average. Damage is also more severe with the average payable claim now almost double the 5-year average for September, Bantle said.

 

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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. 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, Palliser Insurance Company Ltd. and Rain and Hail Insurance Service Ltd.