Crop insurance expected to pay $1.85 billion to Sask. producers

Payments to producers through the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation are expected to reach almost $2 billion this year.

According to the provincial government, payments under a suite of business risk management programs administered by the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation are forecast to reach as high as $1.85 billion after a tough and trying year for many producers.

About 30 per cent of the 2023 claim payouts have already been paid, the government noted, and most producers are eligible for advance payments on their claims, allowing some money to begin flowing even before claims are fully verified.

This has been a difficult year for some producers, with many struggling with feed shortages, persistent dry conditions and crop damage.

“We recognize it’s been another challenging year in some areas of our province,” David Marit, Saskatchewan’s agriculture minister, said in a statement.

His sentiments were echoed by Lawrence McAulay, the federal minister of agriculture and agri-food.

“Producers faced another challenging year and have had to make tough decisions in the face of extreme weather,” McAulay said in a statement. “We are working closely with our provincial counterparts to ensure producers have access to the full range of business risk management programs.”

That $1.85-billion total could creep higher, the Saskatchewan ministry noted, because the deadline for farmers to register a claim isn’t until Nov. 15.

The province noted that an additional $147 million is flowing to producers through to Canada-Saskatchewan Feed Program, and producers can submit applications online.