It's been a devastating start to the new crop season for many area producers but it's hoped a new announcement will help with the problem.
On Tuesday Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation announced it is extending seeding deadlines.
"This spring has been a huge challenge for our farmers trying to get a crop into the ground," says Garry Breitkreuz, Yorkton/Melville MP."This announcement comes on a day where we are seeing yet more rain in eastern Saskatchewan, adding to the frustration and anxiety of many producers. I sincerely hope that the seeding deadline extension can bring some reprieve."
Crop Insurance customers in Yorkton-Melville will now have insurance on any crop seeded by June 15, other than barley, oats, mustard, peas and polish canola which can now be seeded and insured up to June 20. Crops exclusive of these deadlines for the entire province are chickpeas, lentils, dry beans and potatoes because they require more days to reach maturity.
If Crop Insurance customers are still unable to seed by the new deadlines, due to excess moisture, they can access their Unseeded Acreage feature as of June 20. In areas with extreme moisture where land will not be in a condition to seed, producers can register Unseeded Acreage claims as of June 15. The Unseeded Acreage Payment provides $70 per acre, less seeding and insurance intensities and a five per cent deductible.
"This is the second straight year that Crop Insurance seeding deadlines have been extended because of excess moisture," adds Breitkreuz.
"While we can't control the weather, I commend federal Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz and Saskatchewan's Minister of Agriculture Bob Bjornerud for making adjustments to programs, like Crop Insurance, so that producers have some extra time to get their seed in the ground and still be insured."
