It’s been a stressful spring for some farmers as wet conditions and delayed seeding put the growing season behind schedule.
A late-season snowfall in May, combined with rain and a turnaround in temperatures, led to quick snowmelt and flooding in parts of northeast and east-central Saskatchewan, delaying spring seeding operations.
In parts of the province where this year’s crop is in the ground, weekend rain was good news, but not for farmers still trying to catch up after a cool, wet spring.
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) is concerned about confusion surrounding Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) seeding deadlines.
APAS President Bill Prybylski said the final seeding deadline for crop insurance coverage is June 20, but recommended seeding deadlines vary by region.
It’s the recommended seeding dates that have Prybylski concerned.
“Anything that’s seeded between that recommended seeding date and the June 20 date, there’s a few different rules that apply,” Prybylski said. “Farmers will still be eligible for yield loss if the cause of the yield loss is not related to the date of seeding so something like a drought or insects or whatever.”
SCIC has confirmed crops remain insurable up to the final seeding deadline of June 20. Losses caused by factors such as drought, disease, wind and hail continue to be covered.
However, seeding beyond recommended dates listed in the SCIC Seeding Date Tool carries additional risk. Claims may be reduced if losses are significantly worse than others in the same area.
Prybylski said timely information is critical to helping producers weigh those risks and make sound seeding and business decisions.
APAS said ensuring producers receive important updates during seeding is essential, especially as long days in the field limit the time available to seek out information.
The organization called for expanded communication efforts, including social media and more accessible formats, to reach farmers quickly and effectively.
Producers are encouraged to connect directly with SCIC offices to better understand how their individual coverage could be affected.
Source - https://northeastnow.com
