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SCIC Drought Information

As ironic as it may seem – we are talking about flooding and drought in the same year.

Dry conditions are becoming a major concern for a number of producers across Saskatchewan.  SCIC’s business risk management programs can provide support for farmers and ranchers who have challenges as a result of dry conditions.

The Crop Insurance Program offers producers flexibility to contend with changing conditions as the growing season progresses.  There are a number of options and choices producers can make about how they manage their coverage and compensation:

  • If the crop does not emerge properly, by June 20, the producer can register an establishment benefit claim and compensation can be provided to cover the loss of seeding the crop.
  • After June 20, Crop Insurance customers have full yield-loss coverage for their established crop.  If the crop suffers due to drought after June 20, the producer can file a pre-harvest claim, if they do not want to take the crop to harvest.
  • Producers can take a drought affected crop to harvest and then file a post-harvest claim.  Compensation will be paid if the drought damaged crop does not meet the producer’s insured yield.
  • Customers concerned about a feed shortage may choose to graze or harvest forage from any portion of their insured annual crop acres by contacting their local Crop Insurance office and requesting a pre-harvest yield appraisal prior to using it for grazing or forage purposes.
  • Producers who selected coverage through the Forage Insurance Program can receive compensation if their hay does not meet the insured yield.  Protection against rising feed prices is also available by selecting the Variable or In-Season price options, which adjust insured forage prices to account for the value of the current year’s hay crop.
  • Producers who selected coverage through the Forage Rainfall Insurance Program will receive compensation for their grazing acres if recorded rainfall is below 80 per cent of normal.
  • Producers can seed annual crop for greenfeed until June 30 and receive insurance coverage for the greenfeed.

Producers concerned about the impact of the dry conditions on their crop should contact their local Crop Insurance office to review the options available for claims, compensation and the requirements for the options they choose.

The AgriStability Program is also available to offer assistance:

  • Producers can access a portion of their benefit early using the interim benefit feature which can provide 50 per cent of the producer’s estimated final benefit.
  • Producers can access the interim benefit form online at saskcropinsurance.com or if they have questions they should contact the AgriStability Call Centre at 1-866-270-8450.

The Ministry of Agriculture continues to monitor the ongoing situation and are exploring potential solutions, including:

  • Ensuring that all vacant Crown grazing and hay land is made available for short term permit.
  • Allowing subleasing of lands for grazing this year.
  • Whether Environment and Fish and Wildlife Development Fund lands can be made available for grazing.

We would like to remind producers to explore the existing programs and potential options available to them.

  • The Feed Grain and Forage Listing Service connects buyers and sellers of feed grains, forage and other agricultural related services through a free listing service. http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/feedforagelisting
  • Hay located in the right-of-way area along provincial highways can be available for salvage by farmers and ranchers without seeking prior permission starting on July 8.

Contacts:
Ag Knowledge Centre 1-866-457-2377
Crop Insurance 1-888-935-0000
AgriStability 1-866-270-8450

Sincerely,

 

Shawn Jaques
President and CEO
Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation