Saskatchewan is using satellites to measure soil moisture as part of its insurance coverage for the province’s livestock sector.

In 2026, Satellite Forage Insurance will replace the Forage Rainfall Insurance Program, the provincial and federal agriculture ministers announced on Wednesday, providing coverage when there is a shortage of moisture in the ground.

All current customers will be automatically transferred to the new system.

“Claims and premiums are now localized at the township level where the insured hay or pasture is located,” the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation said in a statement.

“High, medium and low coverage levels are available, varying by soil zone. There are two monthly weighting options available for producers to tailor their coverage.”

Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald said the program is an example of how governments are using new, localized data when making decisions around business risk-management programs.

“We continue to look for innovative ways to support producers as they face ongoing unpredictable moisture conditions,” MacDonald said in a statement.

“Agriculture is essential to Saskatchewan,” added David Marit, Saskatchewan’s agriculture minister.

“We are proud to stand behind our producers with further development of forage programs. Satellite Forage Insurance reflects our commitment to supporting Saskatchewan’s producers with insurance that is relevant, responsive and accurate.”

Bill Huber, president of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, said producers have faced “tremendous variability” around growing conditions and weather.

“The introduction of Satellite Forage Insurance is another important step in providing tools that better reflect what is happening on the ground. By expanding and modernizing forage coverage, we are strengthening risk management options that help producers remain resilient and sustainable in the face of change,” Huber said in a statement.

The new system is expected to provide producers with “timely information to plan their upcoming year,” and the crop insurance corporation said information packages will be available next month, outlining coverage options and premiums. Any producers with questions were encouraged to contact the corporation’s office.

The province noted that it works in partnership with producers and industry groups to ensure risk management is available when challenging conditions occur.

“We are pleased a new and improved forage insurance program is going to be available for the 2026 growing season, as a result of the collaborative work initiated through our AgriRisk Initiatives project,” said Jeff Yorga, president of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association.

“We are expecting this program to eliminate long standing issues with basis risk. By measuring conditions at the local level, payments will be more reflective of conditions on the ground and be more responsive when there is a production shortfall.”

Source - https://northeastnow.com