The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) has a focus. They are focused on delivering quality service to the farmers and ranchers of this province. This means SCIC continues to gain the knowledge and data necessary to deliver risk management programs that meet the needs of Saskatchewan’s producers.
The 2011 program demonstrates this commitment by implementing changes requested by producers and industry groups.
The Unseeded Acreage Benefit has been increased to $70 per eligible acre. This compensation is provided after a deductible and seeding and insurance intensities are applied. In addition, there are changes to the calculation of the seeding intensity where the wet acres are included in the calculation as seeded, ensuring acres unseeded due to excess moisture do not impact future seeding intensities.
For young producers beginning a new contract, it will be easier to transfer yields and premium discounts earned on the family farm. This will allow these producers to have quicker access to improved coverage and reduced premiums, rather than starting at area averages. As well, producers on a contract together for at least three years, whether they are young or not, can now start their own contract using existing yields and premium discounts without any adjustments by SCIC.
The Crop Averaging Program has an additional eight crops: identity-preserved canola, red and other lentils, brown, oriental and yellow mustards, and extra strong and hard white spring wheat. This expansion also includes irrigated acres.
Revisions have been made to field pea pricing. This better reflects the current values of this crop and will result in higher coverage.
Changes have been made to the Forage Insurance Program. These changes include deferring the final variable price option values from July to early September to better reflect market conditions and to ensure more accurate compensation for shortfalls in production. Producers are now able to update their yield coverage using verifiable yield data to allow them to insure at levels more representative of their farm.
Forage Establishment Benefit values have been increased to be more reflective of the cost to establish a forage stand.
Establishment Benefit values on canola, identitypreserved canola and large green lentils have also been increased to be more representative of current market conditions.
