CROP INSURANCE DEADLINE MARCH 31

Record Coverage and Continued Enhancements for Producers

Saskatchewan producers are reminded the deadline to enrol in Crop Insurance or make changes to their current contract is March 31.

“We are providing record funding, record coverage levels and further program improvements to help producers mitigate risk,” Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart said.  “I strongly encourage all producers to consider Crop Insurance as part of their management plans this year, particularly with the late spring and snowfall levels throughout the province.”

The 2013 Crop Insurance Program includes record funding of $198 million, up from $177 million in 2012, and an increase in funding of 91 per cent since 2007.  Coverage levels are a record $194 per acre on average, up from $174 per acre in 2012 and more than double the coverage offered in 2007.

New in 2013, the Crop Insurance Program includes:

• increased yields for hard red spring wheat, hard white spring wheat and oats as part of the yield trending formula;
• increased Establishment Benefit values for field peas, canola and identity-preserved canola; and
• expansion of the insurable area for soybeans and the Corn Heat Unit Program.

Producers continue to have the option to supplement the Unseeded Acreage Benefit of $70 per eligible acre by purchasing either $15 or $30 per acre in additional coverage, for up to $100 per eligible acre.

With record coverage and continued Crop Insurance enhancements, there will be no ad-hoc AgriRecovery Program for weather-related disasters in 2013.

Producers are encouraged to contact their local Crop Insurance office about how program features and options, such as the Unseeded Acreage Buy-Up Option, can help meet their risk management needs.

The deadline for customers to apply for, make changes to or cancel a Crop Insurance contract is March 31, 2013.  Detailed program and contract information is available at any Crop Insurance office, at www.saskcropinsurance.com or by calling 1-888-935-0000.

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For more information, contact:

Daniel Jungwirth
Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation
Melville
Phone: 306-728-7427
Email: daniel.jungwirth@scic.gov.sk.ca