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By Alice McFarlane

crop land to livestock feed

Low yield appraisal changes encourages poor Saskatchewan crops to be used as feed

Jul 12, 2023 | 3:58 PM

Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) is implementing changes that will allow additional acres of low yielding cereal and pulse crops to be diverted to feed.

When crops are severely damaged and the appraised yield falls below an established threshold level, the yield is reduced to zero for the Crop Insurance claim.

In response to the feed shortage this year, SCIC is doubling the low yield appraisal threshold values allowing customers to salvage their cereal or pulse crops as feed, without negatively impacting future individual coverage.

Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit said the incentive allows crop producers to make timely decisions to make additional feed available to graze, bale, or silage.

“There are dry pockets and grasshopper damage throughout the province, particularly in the southwest. This is a way to support farmers and ranchers to lessen the impact of the challenging conditions,” Marit said. “I want to encourage crop producers to again work with neighbouring livestock producers to make feed available.”

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For example, the 2023 threshold level for oats is 10 bushels per acre. With a doubled low yield appraisal, the threshold increases to 20 bushels per acre for a producer intending to utilize the oats for feed. The claim is determined using a zero-bushel yield and the original 20 bushels appraised yield is used to update future Crop Insurance coverage.

This same initiative was implemented in 2021, resulting in over 345,000 acres of additional crop redirected to feed.

The Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association (SCA) Board Chair Keith Day said the persistent drought has created an untenable situation for many producers.

“Unfortunately, grasshoppers have compounded the situation. As a result, SCA has been working with our provincial government to propose solutions to bring relief,” Day said.

This announcement comes on the heels of previous announcements to support cattle producers, including those with Crown land leases.

Through the 2023 Crown Grazing Lease Rental Reduction Program, lessees may be eligible for a rent reduction in situations where individual lessees or pasture associations must reduce stocking rates on leases by 20 per cent or more below the rated carrying capacity of their leased grazing land.

Day said eligible lessees will have the 2023 grazing rent reduced by 20 to 50 per cent.

“While we don’t wish this type of situation on our fellow crop producers, we see this as a situation where we can help each other during these difficult times and we greatly appreciate it,” Day said. “My heart goes out to all producers working through this challenging year.”

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW