Season Ends With Flurry of Hail Claims

SASKATOON - Sep 15/05 - SNS -- The 2005 growing season is ending with a flurry of hail claims, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

Storms on September 9 and 10 generated claims from Saskatoon to the northeastern edge of the grainbelt around Porcupine Plain. Some of the heaviest hail damage seems to have occurred in areas around Naicam, LeRoy and Quill Lake where there was also heavy rain. Earlier storms on August 31 and September 5 also produced a substantial number of claims.

The total number of hail claims filed by Saskatchewan producers now totals approximately 12,000. On September 1 when the last report was issued, about 9,000 hail claims had been received.

"This late season hail activity has increased the total number of claims to near the five-year average," says Rob Goeres, the chair of the Canadian Crop Hail Association. "With the loss per claim running well above normal, this year is now shaping up as above average for total hail claim payouts.

"The flooding and loss of crop quality from the weekend storm are bigger overall issues than the hail, but we're pleased to be able to provide coverage for those producers who also experienced hail damage," notes Goeres.

All hail insurance adjusters are now busy and will get to claims as quickly as they can. In many cases, wet roads and fields are hampering progress.

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.