WINNIPEG (Staff) – A generous new crop insurance program offered this spring did not lure as many farmers as the Manitoba Crop Insurance Corporation predicted.
About 12,500 farmers signed up between seven and eight million acres under the enhanced program, according to an official. Participation is about 15 percent higher than 1995.
“We thought we might get a few more actually, but we’re still pretty pleased,” said Brian Halstead, crop insurance spokesperson.
Corporation officials said earlier they expected more than 85 percent of crop acres would be signed up. Instead they got 65 percent.
Halstead said 10 times as many farmers insured forage acres this year compared to 1995.
He also said there are also 1,800 “new insureds,” many of whom have not bought crop insurance or revenue insurance in the past.
Under the program, farmers don’t pay premiums for coverage on half of their long-term average yield. They pay a small administration fee and can choose to pay for additional coverage.
