The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) reports it has provided $329 million to assist producers with land they were unable to seed due to excess moisture in 2011. This record funding was provided for 13,500 claims under the Unseeded Acreage (USA) Benefit, which was increased from $50 to $70 per eligible acre in 2011.
"For the second consecutive year, excess moisture prevented many producers from seeding their land," Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud comments. "I am pleased the Crop Insurance Program is providing this record level of support to help producers address these challenges. I'm also very pleased that these claims have been processed by our Crop Insurance employees and the cheques delivered to farmers in such a timely manner."
Over the past two years, Crop Insurance has provided $551 million to producers through the USA Benefit.
The 2011 Excess Moisture Program (EMP), which was announced in August, provides an additional $30 per eligible acre for land that was too wet to seed or was seeded and then flooded out.
All Saskatchewan producers are eligible for the EMP. SCIC is administering the program and will continue to process EMP claims as quickly as possible. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2011.
More than $600 million has been made available under the EMP in 2010 and 2011 to help producers affected by excess moisture.
Over the last four years, the Government of Saskatchewan has worked to improve the Crop Insurance Program, including providing the four largest budgets and average coverage levels in the program's history.
For further information or to register a Crop Insurance or EMP claim, producers can contact their local Crop Insurance office or call 1-888-935-0000.
