To address low crop yields this year from dry climate conditions, both the federal and provincial governments announced the launch of an initiative to help support livestock producers.
To enact this initiative, the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) is implementing what it calls “extraordinary measures” to support Saskatchewan’s livestock producers who are in need.
The incentive allows crop producers to divert some product toward feed, bales, and silage.
“This change to the low yield threshold aims to help producers make critical decisions about how to move forward with their crop and feed requirements,” said the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
“Many producers have been in this unfortunate situation before, due to the risks associated with climate change, which is why we are so committed to finding agricultural innovations that will increase resiliency going forward.”
The province has seen dry pockets from climate conditions this year, and grasshoppers have been problematic. Minister of Agriculture David Marit said the impact of these conditions has been felt strongly in the southwest of the province.
"We are committed to supporting our farmers and ranchers to lessen the impact of these challenging conditions, and I want to encourage crop producers to again work with neighbouring livestock producers to make feed available,” Marit said.
For historical reference, a similar initiative was implemented in 2021, resulting in more than 345,000 acres of crop product being redirected to livestock feed.
In situations where crops are severely damaged, such as recent drought or hungry pest damage, any appraisal that falls below an established threshold level is considered a yield of zero for the crop insurance claim.
To address the feed storage this summer, the SCIC is doubling this low yield appraisal threshold value. This allows customers to salvage damaged cereal or pulse crops as feed and this will not impact future individual coverage.
Given these climate conditions, AgriStability participants are eligible to apply for the interim benefit option and can access 50 per cent of their 2023 benefit early.
To provide additional support, any added expenses a producer incurs to obtain supplementary livestock feed will count as an eligible expense through the AgriStability Program. This expense category will apply to most purchases but it’s best practice to confirm through either AgriStability or your local SCIC office.
Further, with the 2023 Crown Grazing Lease Rental Reduction Program, lessees may be eligible for a rent reduction in situations where the stocking rate drops below 20 percent of the carrying capacity on their leased grazing land. Through the program, eligible lessees could see their 2023 grazing rent drop by between 20 and 50 per cent.
Prior to any decision on how to handle your damaged crop, producers are asked to contact their local SCIC office for advising. The team at SCIC is on hand to help producers make timely decisions and to ensure they receive the crop insurance benefits they may be entitled to.
Producers can contact either their local SCIC office or call 1-888-935-0000 for more information. The SCIC website is also available at scic.ca.
For producers facing tough economic hardship, the Farm Stress Line is available around the clock and can be reached toll-free at 1-800-667-4442. Calls to the Farm Stress Line are answered by Mobile Crisis Services Regina, which is a non-profit, community-based agency and features no call display.
Producers facing high stress can also find helpful resources through the AgTalk platform, which is provided by the Do More Agriculture Foundation and can be accessed at DoMore.ag/AgTalk.
