"Our livestock sector is facing tremendous challenges sourcing feed, as well as some challenges in securing access to sustainable, quality livestock water sources," Marit said. "Agriculture is a vital part of our provincial economy and we are taking steps to support producers through this extended period of dry, hot conditions."
"I want to encourage grain producers to work with neighbouring livestock producers to make feed available. SCIC is working with customers to ensure damaged crops, intended for harvest, can be put to an alternate use such as silage, baling or grazing."
When crops are severely damaged and the appraised yield falls below an established threshold level, the yield is reduced to zero. In response to the feed shortage this year, SCIC is doubling the Low Yield Appraisal threshold values for customers who salvage their cereal or pulse crops as feed, without negatively impacting future individual coverage. For example, the previous established threshold for barley was seven bushels per acre. For Crop Insurance customers wanting to utilize a grain crop for feed, the threshold will now be 14 bushels per acre. In this case, a zero bushel yield would be used for the claim and the original 14 bushels would be used to update future coverage.