In its biweekly report, the Canadian Crop Hail Association says that despite some well-publicized storms, the number of hail claims filed by Prairie farmers is well below average for this time of year.
As of mid-week, the member companies reported a total of roughly 2,650 claims in Saskatchewan, 930 claims in Alberta and 500 claims in Manitoba.
No new hail activity in Manitoba
In the two weeks since the last report, there is no appreciable hail activity to report in Manitoba. However, claims have continued to be filed from storms on July 4. That storm date accounts for more than 85 per cent of the 500 claims filed.
Many of the claims have been cancelled as damage was less than 5 per cent. The hardest hit areas are east of Altona, St. Jean Baptiste, and Lowe Farm. In many cases, claims have been deferred and will be adjusted over the next couple of weeks because the crop was at such an early stage of development.
Alberta claims from many different dates
Alberta claims have continued to flow in from storm activity on July 3. So far, that is the biggest date for claims. Areas affected include Three Hills east, north of Drumheller to Alix, Forestburg, Strome, Vermilion and St. Paul.
July 6 had hail damage from Drayton Valley to Hay Lakes with medium damage occurring.
July 7 saw a storm, accompanied with a tornado, touching down in some areas. From east of Sundre to Red Deer heavy hail damage occurred. Barrhead also had a storm that evening.
A July 11 storm hit Central and Southern Alberta with claims spread throughout. Lacombe and Eckville had flooding with heavy downpours and some hail accompanying these storms.
July 13 saw storms from High River to Cardston. Damage was variable with Cardston having golf ball sized hail.
Storms on July 14, 15 and 17 were spread throughout the province with small claim numbers being filed.
July 18 and 19 claims are still being filed from southwest of Red Deer and Millet to Camrose.
At 930, hail claims in Alberta are running behind last year and below average for this time of year. This number represents straight hail claims only and does not include claims filed under crop insurance endorsements.
Central Saskatchewan hit hardest
Over the last two weeks, there has been storm activity somewhere in Saskatchewan on almost every date. However, the total of roughly 1,650 claims is below average for this point in the growing season.
A storm on July 12 has been the largest to date in Saskatchewan accounting for nearly one-quarter of the 1,650 claims. That storm hit central Saskatchewan including Delisle, Perdue, Kindersley, Outlook, Rosetown, Dinsmore, Elrose, Milden and Wiseton.
July 7, 8 and 9 also saw a lot of crop damage with claims from locations such as Wilkie, Plenty, Dodsland, Landis, Handel, Watrous, Kenaston, Cudworth, Raymore, Duval, Davidson and Holdfast.
Many claims have been deferred until the crop is headed / podded so that losses can more accurately be determined.
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