Released on February 17, 1999
Agriculture and Food Minister Eric Upshall today announced thatproducers' crop insurance premiums in 1999 are an average of 40 per
cent lower for each $1 of coverage than they were in 1996. The
minister also pointed out that the 1999 premium rate represents a
seven per cent reduction from last year for Saskatchewan farmers.
Upshall today urged farmers to review their crop insurance. Producers
have until March 15 to review, make changes or cancel their crop
insurance coverage for 1999.
"Crop insurance is an important part of the safety net package and is
an input cost that the province has been able to decrease," Upshall
said. "As premium rates are independent of grain prices, the savings
are passed along to producers whether grain prices move up or down."
Spot-loss hail insurance is available as an option on any crop
insured, except forages. The hail option is cost shared equally with
producers paying 50 per cent and the governments paying 50 per cent of
the hail insurance premium costs.
"Additional spot-loss hail insurance offered through Crop Insurance is
approximately $1 per acre in most areas of the province for cereal
crops. Combined with the yield-loss components of crop insurance,
this is a comprehensive risk management insurance package available to
producers," Upshall added.
Under the New Crop Development Fund in 1999, Saskatchewan Crop
Insurance now offers insurance to producers of coriander and
caraway. Saskatchewan is the first province to offer insurance
on these two spices; helping support producers that find
specialized market opportunities. This program is a direct
result of Saskatchewan farmers working individually and through
groups such as the Herb and Spice Association, with Crop
Insurance to develop risk protection programs.
"The two new insurable crops for 1999 follow the introduction of
chickpeas and alfalfa seed in 1998," Upshall said. "Supporting
producers' diversification efforts is an important concern as
producers look for opportunities to find new products and secure
their own incomes."
Saskatchewan Crop Insurance has also enhanced its 1999 program by
offering separate mustard coverage by class. Yellow, brown and
oriental mustard will be insured as separate crops with separate
prices. As well, winterkill coverage has been separated from
yield-loss coverage on fall rye and winter wheat.
"Customers were mailed their endorsement packages last week. This
package contains personalized information about each customer's
premiums and coverages for 1999. As a reminder, producers have
until March 15 to review or make changes to their crop insurance
coverage," Upshall said.
Producers not currently carrying crop insurance are encouraged to
call their nearest Saskatchewan Crop Insurance customer service
office for more information on risk management options.
(List 1-888 phone numbers attached)
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For more information, contact:
Gloria Visser-Niven
Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation
Melville Phone: (306) 728-7286
Customer Service Offices Satellite Offices
Assiniboia CSO Beechy
1-888-935-0008 859-5551
Balgonie CSO Biggar
1-888-935-0001 948-3579
Davidson CSO Canora
1-888-935-0020 563-4958
Estevan CSO Carlyle
1-888-935-0002 453-3461
Humboldt CSO Carnduff
1-888-935-0026 482-3460
Kindersley CSO Hudson Bay
1-888-935-0021 865-4433
Leader CSO Indian Head
1-888-935-0011 695-4204
Moose Jaw CSO Kelvington
1-888-935-0012 327-4718
Moosomin CSO Lloydminster
1-888-935-0005 825-6475
North Battleford CSO Maple Creek
1-888-935-0028 662-5446
Preeceville CSO Meadow Lake
1-888-935-0015 236-7604
Prince Albert CSO Melville (toll-free)
1-888-935-0032 1-888-935-0000
Raymore CSO Nipawin
1-888-935-0016 862-1784
Rosetown CSO Outlook
1-888-935-0019 867-5557
Saskatoon CSO Spiritwood
1-888-935-0024 883-8501
Shaunavon CSO Unity
1-888-935-0010 228-6405
Swift Current CSO Watrous
1-888-935-0007 946-3242
Tisdale CSO Wynyard
1-888-935-0025 554-5448
Turtleford CSO
1-888-935-0030
Weyburn CSO
1-888-935-0003
Yorkton CSO
1-888-935-0013