Given the “significant amount” of crops still out on Saskatchewan fields, the province’s crop insurance corporation has extended its deadline for claims and extension requests to Dec. 1.
“When the weather doesn’t co-operate with crop insurance deadlines, farmers deserve an extension,” federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said in a release Friday.
“Right now farmers are focused on getting the crop off and that is why we are working with the Saskatchewan government to make sure the paperwork can wait.”
The previous deadline to register claims and insurance extensions for the 2009 crop year was Nov. 15.
Read Also
U.S. grains: Corn rebounds from contract lows on short covering, bargain buying
Bargain buying and short covering lifted U.S. corn futures on Monday after the market slid to contract lows on expectations for strong U.S. output, traders said.
“This will give producers coverage as they work to get their crops off the field,” provincial Ag Minister Bob Bjornerud said.
Farmers who believe they’re in a claim position but still have crops in the field approaching the extended Dec. 1 deadline should contact Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. (SCIC) to register a claim and an insurance extension, the provincial agency said.
“This will provide producers with compensation for their losses and ensure coverage for potential damages over winter,” Melville-based SCIC said in its release.
Crops that can’t be harvested until spring are also eligible for 100 per cent wildlife damage compensation, SCIC noted, with no producer premiums and no crop insurance contract required to receive that compensation.
