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By Alice McFarlane

2021 Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Program

Saskatchewan crop insurance coverage increases

Feb 23, 2021 | 3:37 PM

MELFORT, Sask. — Saskatchewan crop insurance coverage for 2021 will reach record levels due to higher commodity prices and increased yield coverage.

Deputy premier Donna Harpauer said crop insurance coverage will reach $273 up from $224. The average premium will increase to $8.59 per acre from $7.40 per acre. It means the average premium cost per dollar of coverage has dropped 42 per cent over the past 10 years.

Harpauer said the program has supported Saskatchewan producers with reliable coverage and exceptional customer service.

“We are committed to providing producers with the insurance programs they need, and the enhancements announced today build upon the current suite of programs,” Harpauer said.

Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) acting president and CEO Jeff Morrow said the coverage increase to 22 per cent is mainly due to commodity price increases.

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“Prices increased by 17 per cent and our yields by three per cent. The cost of the premium is 16 per cent higher than last year but the rates themselves have actually decreased,” Morrow said. “I think when you put it into perspective it’s about a $50 an acre increase in coverage for about a dollar per acre for the producer in terms of the premium

The establishment benefit values changed for several crops. Canola increased to $70 per acre with large green lentils at $50. Red lentils are $30 per acre with large Kabuli chickpeas at $65 per acre and Small Kabuli chickpeas set at $45 per acre. Corn is $95 per acre.

Producers growing tame hay will have more options while insuring their hay acres, either under the Forage Rainfall Insurance Program (FRIP) or the Multi-Peril Crop Insurance Program. The coverage for newly seeded native forage establishment benefit acres rises from $75 to $200 and can be customized for each farming operation.

Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association Chair Arnold Balicki said cattle producers face a lot of risks and the programs demonstrate that.

“Adding tame hay to the Forage Rainfall Insurance Program and extending the calf coverage deadline and hours of operation for Livestock Price Insurance are all positive,” Balicki said.

There will also be an increase for tame hay to $90 per acre and sweetclover to $65 per acre.

The Commercial Vegetable Program is a new pilot designed to provide coverage for damage to commercial cabbage and pumpkin crops. Growers must have a minimum of eight acres to participate in the program. Discussion is continuing on insurance coverage options for commercial vegetable growers.

Saskatchewan Pulse Growers Board chair Shaun Dyrland said he welcomed the change to the large-seeded Kabuli chickpea base grade calculations.

“This change should increase coverage levels for most of the 300 chickpea producers in the province,” Dyrland said.

Mar. 31 is the deadline to select insured crops and coverage levels or make additional changes to contracts.

Premiums for most programs are shared 40 per cent by participating producers, 36 per cent by the federal government and 24 per cent by the province.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF