Storms damage crops in Alberta, Saskatchewan

Storms in Alberta and Saskatchewan produced hail that resulted in light to medium crop damage with heavy damage reported in at least one area, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred on June 15, June 17, June 18 and June 19.

CCHA member companies are investigating 128 claims with nearly half in the Saskatchewan communities of Assiniboia, Willowbunch, Ogema, Gravelbourg, Maple Creek, Elrose, Rosetown and Pierceland.

“We are seeing isolated thunderstorm damage,” said Murray Bantle of Co-operative Hail Insurance Company. “The hail activity was light for the week. We finally got some moisture across much of the province.”

Co-operative Hail has six claims in Gull Lake and Gravelbourg. Barley and durum suffered light to heavy damage.

Farmers made eight claims in Didsbury, Three Hills, Joffre, Beiseker, Hussar, Rockyford and Morrinville, according Jackie Sanden of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation in Alberta.

Tyson Ryhorchuk, of Rain and Hail Insurance Service, said farmers in the Saskatchewan communities of Consul, Ponteix and the Alberta communities of Trochu, Picture Butte, Coaldale and Coalhurst made six claims for damage to wheat, barley and mustard.

Farmers in Alberta made 10 claims to AG Direct Hail Insurance, according to Beth Shewkenek. Information about the location of the storms and the crops that were damaged was not immediately available.

Scott McQueen of Palliser Insurance said storms resulted in 35 claims to all types of crops in the Alberta communities of Trochu, Three Hills and Picture Butte. Damaged ranged from light to medium. A lack of moisture is also factoring into adjustment of the claims, he said.

Storms resulted in seven claims from farmers in Josephburg, Barons, Walsh, Pontiex, and Frontier, according to Canadian Hail Agencies.

Darryl Tiefenbach of Additional Municipal Hail said storms resulted in 56 claims in the Saskatchewan communities of Assiniboia, Willowbunch, Ogema, Gravelbourg, Maple Creek, Elrose, Rosetown and Pierceland. Farmers reported light damage, he said. Heavy rain is also factoring into adjusting for the claims.

 

###

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.