Storms damage crops as harvest continues

Storms damaged crops across much of Western Canada as harvest continues, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The association is urging farmers to leave enough damaged crops in the field to allow adjusters to process claims.

“Remember to leave adequate samples if you are harvesting your crops prior to an adjuster arriving,” said association President Scott McQueen of Palliser Insurance Company. “If you need more information on what to leave, please contact your insurance provider.”

The storms occurred Aug. 3-9

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 327 claims of crop damage during the time period.

McQueen said storms damaged crops in central to northern Alberta and central to northern Saskatchewan. The damage ranged from light to medium.

“We are seeing lots of wind damage along with hail in certain areas,” he said.

Cassandra Holt, of Canadian Hail Agencies, said storms damaged crops in the Alberta community of Drumheller.

Murray Bantle, of Co-operative Hail Insurance Company, said storms damaged cereals and oilseeds in northwest Saskatchewan from Unity to North Battleford. Damage was ranged from light to heavy.

“The completed claims, or claim severity in Saskatchewan, remains well above the 5-year average for our company,” he said. “With the dry crop conditions, hailstorms have taken their toll on the standing crops. Harvest has started on the pulse crops of peas and lentils, with the dry hot conditions advancing harvest quickly in the southern part of the province.”

Ellen Grant, of AG Direct Hail Insurance, said storms damaged crops in the Alberta communities of Cherhill, Barrhead, Three Hills, Red Deer County, Beiseker, Olds, Rockyview, Del Bonita, Drumheller, Acme and Magrath.

Jackie Sanden, of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, said storms damaged crops in the Alberta communities of Fort Assiniboine, southwest Barrhead, Vega and Neerlandia. They also damaged crops in Crossfield, Rocky View, Three Hills, Wimborne, Finnegan, Acme, Alix and Innisfail.

Darryl Tiefenbach, of Additional Municipal Hail, said storms damaged crops in the Saskatchewan communities of Rosetown, North Battleford and Glaslyn. Damage was moderated, he said.

“We are currently adjusting the July 22 storm date in all areas affect by this largest hail event of 2021,” he said. “We will have all claims for this storm date adjusted in the next 8-10 days.”

Brendan Blight, of Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation, said storms damaged crops with pea sized hail in the Manitoba communities of Deloraine, southeast of Dauphin, Lyleton and north of Altona.

He said low rainfall has stressed crops across the province.

“Damage is minor for the most part,” he said. “There are reports of larger damage and stones north of Altona from the evening of August 9 but we are still fielding phone calls and do not have firm claim numbers yet.”

For more information and past reports: cropinsuranceincanada.org

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.