Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart was in Melville on February 23 to announce the new 2017 crop insurance program. There are a few changes coming to Saskatchewan Crop Insurance coverage for the coming crop year.
On average, Crop Insurance coverage levels are increasing to a record $217 per acre, up from $216 per acre in 2016. The improved coverage is a result of the continuation of strong forecasted crop prices and increased long-term yields.
Due to this increase in coverage, the premium per acre will rise slightly to an average of $8.51 per acre from $7.84 per acre in 2016. The increase is due to insuring higher value crops like lentils.
Other changes are increased flexibility of CAP, the crop averaging program. He noted that producers can select and pay premiums at a 50, 60, 70 or 80 level in return for higher coverage. There is also an increase in the establishment benefit levels for large green lentils up to $60 per acre, while other lentils are up to $40 per acre and soybeans will be up to $100 per acre. 鈥淔armers and ranchers have come to recognize the importance of crop insurance,鈥� he stated.
Changes to a Crop Insurance contract or new applications need to be made by Friday, March 31, 2017. Producers can access the program online using CropConnect to review coverage, options and make selections using their computer, laptop or mobile device. Detailed program and contract information is available through local Crop Insurance offices, on their website (www.saskcropinsurance.com) or by phone at 1-888-935-0000.
Crop Insurance is a Business Risk Management program supported through Growing Forward 2. Under Crop Insurance, premiums for most programs are shared 40 per cent by participating producers, 36 per cent by the Government of Canada and 24 per cent by the Government of Saskatchewan. Administrative expenses are fully funded by governments, 60 per cent by Canada and 40 per cent by Saskatchewan.
Also noteworthy, the Agriculture Minister demonstrated his ministry鈥檚 use of hi-tech options to make his announcement. The announcement was made in Melville, a small urban centre in a farming area. The media was invited to join in via an online streaming connection, texting in questions as well as via the more common teleconference.
