Saskatchewan launches additional insurance support for drought-stricken farmers

Farmers urged to take advantage of these initiatives

Saskatchewan launches additional insurance support for drought-stricken farmers

Insurance News

By Mark Rosanes

The government of Saskatchewan has rolled out additional insurance support for farmers facing potential losses due to extreme drought conditions in the province.

In last week’s press conference, Agriculture Minister David Marit announced that the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) would be doubling low-yield appraisal threshold values for customers who salvage their cereal or pulse crops as feed.

He added that the SCIC is working with producers to ensure damaged crops that were intended for harvest can be put to an alternate use such as silage, baling, or grazing.

“We encourage grain producers to work with neighbouring livestock producers to make feed available,” Marit said.

The ministry’s crop report last month obtained by CTV News revealed that heat stress was causing crops to prematurely dry down and a large amount of rainfall was necessary to prevent irreparable crop damage.

In response, Marit said the government will implement a temporary cap increase for the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP) to cover costs related to dugouts, pipelines, and wells.

From April 1 to October 31, the maximum rebate will increase to $150,000. The minister said that the first $50,000 would be based on a 50-50 cost-share with producers while the remaining $100,000 will be on a 70-30 government-producer cost share.

The Saskatchewan government also made a formal request to the federal government to designate the entire province as eligible for the Livestock Tax Deferral program to help producers who might need to liquidate part of their breeding herd because of feed or water shortages.

Marit has urged farmers to take advantage of these initiatives, which are primarily business risk management programs under Crop Insurance, AgriStability, and AgriInvest.

The Ministry of Agriculture’s regional offices in the province is also ready to assist livestock producers who may be needing additional information about alternative feeding strategies, pasture management assistance, and the interpretation of feed and water test rules.

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