Today, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald and Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture Daryl Harrison announced the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) is implementing measures to offer support to producers facing this year's challenging dry conditions. SCIC is implementing the double low yield appraisal process, encouraging acres of low-yielding eligible crops to be diverted to make additional feed available to graze, bale or silage.
“I’ve spoken with livestock and crop producers in Saskatchewan who are worried about the impact that dry conditions could have this year,” MacDonald said. “Changing the yield threshold will give them some breathing room, so they can make the best decisions for their operations.”
"In multiple areas throughout the province, our livestock producers are facing challenges from this year's dry conditions," Harrison said. "There is a need to quickly adapt to best support producers' timely, on-farm decisions. In 2021 and 2023, this same initiative was successfully implemented, resulting in over half a million acres of additional low yield crop redirected to feed. Once again, livestock producers are encouraged to work directly with neighbouring crop producers to access additional feed."
When crops are severely damaged and the appraised yield falls below an established threshold level, the yield is reduced to zero for the Crop Insurance claim. SCIC is doubling the low yield appraisal threshold values, allowing customers to salvage their eligible crops as feed, without negatively impacting future individual coverage. Prior to compensation, all qualifying acres for double low yield appraisals must be diverted to livestock feed. They cannot be left to harvest. Prior to putting damaged crops to an approved alternate use, producers should contact their local SCIC office.