Alberta led the prairie pack in number of damaging hailstorms in the last two weeks of July.
The Aug. 7 report released by the Canadian Crop Hail Association listed nine major storms in Alberta between July 20 and July 29, with central and southern areas most affected.
Five major storms were recorded in Saskatchewan over the same period and another seven in Manitoba from July 23 to Aug. 2.
The report said a July 21 storm that began near Rocky Mountain House, Alta., affected areas east to Lloydminster, with reports of baseball-sized hailstones and severe crop, building and vehicle damage in the Lacombe area.
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That storm produced 25 to 50 millimetres of rain.
One day later, a July 22 hailstorm that started west of Calgary and swept through Rockyview and Wheatland counties pounded stones ranging from pea to golf-ball sizes. Rainfall ranges from five to 50 mm.
In Saskatchewan, the association said claims were reported every day from July 21-29. The biggest storms occurred July 22 and July 25, with the former storm prompting declaration of a state of emergency in Kerrobert.
Despite that nastiness, hail claims in Saskatchewan are within the five-year average, the association said.
In Manitoba, claims are just about that average. Widespread crop damage was reported from storms July 23 and Aug. 2. It ranged from light to total loss, even on the same quarter.
The association said heavy rains in some areas have delayed work by crop adjusters.
“Check strips or swaths must be left in hail-impacted fields in the event that a crop needs to be harvested before the adjuster arrives,” the association said in a news release.
“Farmers should check company websites or contact their insurance company for advice about leaving appropriate check strips.”
