Manitoba is extending its crop insurance to more crops and reaching
outside of traditional areas.
Farmers will be able to claim up to $40 per acre for tame hay crops
destroyed by excessive moisture.
A pilot program will allow 30 producers and six insurance agencies to
try out pasture insurance.
And the insurable value of an oats crop has been raised.
Manitoba agriculture minister Rosann Wowchuk said farmers in general
will benefit because premiums will not be raised this year, even though
Read Also
China’s grain imports have slumped big-time
China purchased just over 20 million tonnes of wheat, corn, barley and sorghum last year, that is well below the 60 million tonnes purchased in 2021-22.
commodity prices are generally expected to increase by about 10
percent. That equals more coverage for the same cost.
Oats crops, which have become valuable this year, will be eligible for
more lucrative value ratings.
“This … recognizes that Manitoba producers are capable of
consistently producing high quality oats and that will result in a
higher dollar value for insurance,” Wowchuk said when she announced the
crop insurance changes at Manitoba Ag Days in Brandon.
Perennial ryegrass will be added to the list of insurable crops.
Wowchuk said the government has helped farmers by lowering crop
insurance premiums by 24 percent over the last two years.
But Progressive Conservative agriculture critic Jack Penner said the
government lowered premiums so it could save itself money.
By lowering producer premiums, the government was able to cut back its
own contributions and those of the federal government by about $15
million.
More than 80 percent of Manitoba’s grainland is covered by crop
insurance. The deadline to sign up is April 1.
