Canadian Crop Hail Association: Crop damage moderate after recent storms

Hail damage ranged from light to medium after recent storms across Western Canada and insurance adjusters remain on pace to complete claims in a timely manner, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred June 25-July 2.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 1,450 claims of crop damage during the time period.

Companies contributing to this report are Ag Direct Hail, Additional Municipal Hail, Rain and Hail Insurance Service, Palliser Insurance Company, Agriculture Financial Services Corporation and Co-operative Hail Insurance Company.

Some areas are also affected by drought. Later seeding and cooler temperatures have affected crop maturity. Other areas very wet and that has delayed access to the fields but adjusters are still able to complete most claims quickly.

CCHA President Scott McQueen, of Palliser Insurance Company, said the adjuster force is working across all three provinces.

“Damage continues to be light to medium in most areas,” he said. “Crops seem more advanced in Alberta compared to Saskatchewan and Manitoba.”

Yves Dooper, of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, said adjusters with his company are currently focused on storms from June 1-July 2.

“The stage of the crop and the severity of some damage will result in our adjusters deferring settlement in some cases to assess the loss more accurately, but many claims will be settled on the first visit,” he said.

Here’s a look at storm damage across the region.

Alberta

Crops damaged: Cereals, oilseeds, pulses, and a few specialty crops.

Communities impacted include: Barrhead, Camrose, New Norway, Eckville, Sylvan Lake, Penhold, Innisfail, Olds, Beiseker, Three Hills, Morin, Drumheller, Hanna, Rockyford, Delia, Holden, Wainright, Penhold, High River, Brooks, Oyen, Trochu, Bowden, Acadia Valley, Vermilion, Strathmore, Leslieville, Condor, Spruceview, Disdbury, Torrington, Elnora, Rumsley, Chestermere, Langdon, Lyalta, Aldersyde, Carseland, Mossleigh, Schuler, Rosemary, Hussar, Hay Lakes, Viking and Irma.

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: Cereals, oilseeds, pulses, canola, barley, wheat, peas and lentils.

Communities impacted include: Neilberg, Meota, Biggar, Kenasten, Imperial, Strasbourg, Southey, Regina Beach, Regina, Vibank, Esterhazy, Choiceland, Meath Park, Naicam, Wilkie Saskatoon, Langenburg, Burstall, Leader, Sceptre, Eatonia, Glidden, Shamrock, Govan, Leross, Semans, Wilcox, Arran, Major, Luseland, Radville, Ceylon, Minton, Jansen, Melville Leader, Naicam, Southey, Major, Abbey, Cabri, Fox Valley, Gull Lake, Leader, Prelate,Swift Current, Archerwill, Grayson, Yorkton, Kerrobert and Minton.

Manitoba

Crops damaged: Cereals, oilseeds, pulses, wheat, oats, soybeans, canola, buckwheat, grain corn, barley, field peas, beans and silage corn.

Communities impacted include: Binscarth, St. Lazare, Shoal Lake, Minnedosa, Newdale, Plumas, Swan River, Minitonas, Snow Flake, Treherne, Crystal City, Notre Dame, Killarney, Homewood, Dugald, Fork River and Bowsman.