CROP INSURANCE EXTENDS REPORTING DEADLINES

Due to the flood conditions facing many producers and the recent SGEU strike action, the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) is extending the deadlines for producers to submit Establishment Benefit claims, Unseeded Acreage Benefit claims, Seeded Acreage Reports and Stored Grain Declarations to June 30.

"Once again, I'm pleased that we can work with our Saskatchewan colleagues to make common sense adjustments to our programs so that Saskatchewan farmers can get back on their feet as soon as possible," said Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.

"With the heavy rains once again hitting many areas of the province, producers are busy dealing with flooded homes and volunteering with flood relief efforts in their communities," Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud said. "We recognize these matters are far more important than filling out paper work right now and this will give producers facing these flooding challenges more time to submit their Crop Insurance information."

The previous deadline to submit Establishment Benefit claims was June 20. The Establishment Benefit is paid on crops that fail to adequately establish or suffer significant damage due to insurable causes before June 20.

The previous deadline to submit Seeded Acreage Reports, Unseeded Acreage Benefit claims, and Stored Grain Declarations was June 25. This year, the Unseeded Acreage Benefit has been increased from $50 to $70 per eligible acre.

For more information, producers can contact their local Crop Insurance office or call 1-888-935-0000.

The SGEU instructed its SCIC employee members to walk off the job as of 2 p.m. on June 21. SCIC is disappointed with this decision given the flooding challenges facing many producers. SCIC's top priority continues to be meeting the needs of Saskatchewan's farmers and ranchers and wants to assure producers that all efforts are being made to serve its customers as efficiently as possible.

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For more information, contact:

Terri Kentel-Weinheimer
Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation
Melville
Phone: 306-728-7287
Email: terri.kentel-weinheimer@scic.gov.sk.ca