Storm Activity Spotty Across Western Canada

Farmers reported spotty storm activity across western Canada with heavy damage and golf ball-sized hail in at least one area, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred Aug. 2-14.

CCHA member companies are investigating about 280 claims made by farmers in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan during the time period.

Storms on Aug. 6 in Alberta appear to be the most severe with pea-to-golf-ball sized stones and at least 90 damage claims in communities including Cochrane, One Four, Iron Springs, Taber, Foremost and Lethbridge, according to CCHA members.

Storms on Aug. 14 also resulted in damage across the three provinces.

The storms that day hit Alberta communities from Claresholm to south of Taber and a large area northwest of Medicine Hat. In Manitoba, farmers in Souris and the Hartney area reported damage along with farmers in parts of Saskatchewan.

Harvest is starting across the area and CCHA members are urging farmers to leave enough samples of damage crops in the field to provide for accurate assessments.

“Harvest has started and staying ahead of the combines will begin to be an issue,” said Brendan Blight of Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation.

CCHA member companies continue to process claims and get much-needed funds to farmers as the hail season nears its end.

“So far we have completed 89 percent of our June claims with payable claims slightly below average,” said Murray Bantle of Co-operative Hail Insurance Company. “July is 71 percent adjusted with claims above the average. August is 3 percent adjusted with completed claims above average.”

Farmers are urged to contact their CCHA member company with any questions about leaving adequate samples for adjusters to assess crop damages.

For more: cropinsuranceincanada.org

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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.