Low-yielding cereal and pulse crops can be diverted for livestock feed, the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. and Agriculture Canada announced July 12.
The corporation is doubling low-yield appraisal values so that farmers can make decisions about their poor crops and support livestock producers who need feed.
Pockets of the province are again experiencing severe drought conditions, and changing the low-yield threshold means the crops can be grazed, baled or silage.
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“This same initiative was implemented in 2021, resulting in over 345,000 acres of additional crop redirected to feed,” said provincial agriculture minister David Marit.
In addition to drought, grasshoppers are damaging a lot of fields.
When crops are severely impacted and the appraised yield falls below the established threshold, the yield is reduced to zero for the crop insurance claim.
The change allows farmers to salvage what they can without affecting their future coverage.
For example, the threshold level for oats this year is 10 bushels per acre, but that will be doubled to 20 if the producer is using the oats for feed.
The Saskatchewan government previously announced that crown grazing lessees could be eligible for rent reductions if they have to reduce stocking rates by 20 percent or more. Those rents will be cut by 20 to 50 percent, depending on the situation.
As well, AgriStability participants can apply for an interim benefit of up to 50 percent of their estimated final benefit.
Farmers should contact SCIC before putting their crops to an alternate use.
Contact karen.briere@producer.com
