Hail Claims Jump in Saskatchewan

SASKATOON - Sep 1/05 - SNS -- Hail claims in Saskatchewan now total more than 9,000, up 20% over the past two weeks, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

Two weeks ago, the total was about 7,500. Over the past two weeks, claims have come from locations that include Lampman, Stoughton, Mankota, Bethune, Strasbourg, Holdfast, Punnichy, Govan, Semans and Raymore.

The number of claims to date is about 25% below the five-year average. However, the average value is running in the range of $6,500 to $8,500 depending upon the company and this is well above normal. Some companies say this year's losses per claim are the highest ever.

The high payouts per claim are attributed to a number of factors:

-many farmers have insured at a higher value per acre

-a higher acreage of crops like lentils and peas that are more susceptible

-the severity of many of this year's storms

-farms continue to get larger

With harvest being later than normal, the potential exists for additional claims. Just in the past few days, there have again been isolated pockets of hail.

If producers need to combine a hailed crop before it can be adjusted for damage, appropriate test strips must be left. Hailed crops can be adjusted in the swath. Therefore farmers are not required to leave standing test strips unless they are straight combining. Producers should check with their hail insurance company for information on appropriate check strips.