Storms bring range of damage to crops across Western Canada

Storms produced hail as large as softballs across Western Canada resulting in minor-to-heavy damage on crops, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

CCHA member companies are investigating almost 400 claims of crop damage from hailstorms that occurred May 28-June 6. The majority of the claims were filed in Manitoba.

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

“[There were] large amounts of thunderstorms all across the province,” said Brendan Blight, Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation. “And overland flooding occurred in areas where producers are still trying to seed their crops.”

Yves Dooper, with the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, said that most of the damage in Alberta was light and crops should recover well.

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

Alberta
Crops damaged: Barley, Canola, Edible beans, forage seed, Grain Corn, Oats, Peas, silage corn, Soybeans, sunflowers, Wheat

Communities impacted include: Aetna, Beaumont, Bentley, Bon Accord, Bow Island, Busby, Calmar, Carseland, Cereal, Coaldale, Dapp, Jarvie, Leduc, Lega, Lethbridge, Manola, Star, Thorsby, Warburg, Westlock

Manitoba
Crops damaged: Barley, Canola, Corn, Faba bean, Market Garden, Oats, Peas, Rye, Sugar Beets, Triticale, Wheat

Communities impacted include: Baldour, Carberry, Crystal City, Justice, Kenton, Lenore, Minnedosa, Minto, Oakbank, Stanley, St Leon, Virden, Wellwood