Crop insurance premiums down, more crops included in Sask. 2010 program (Sask-Crop-Insurance)
Source: The Canadian Press
Feb 24, 2010 19:39

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REGINA _ Farmers will be paying smaller premiums for coverage this year under Saskatchewan's crop insurance program.

As well, more crops will be eligible for coverage under the 2010 insurance plan that was rolled out Wednesday.

Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud says honey, camelina, soybeans and navy beans will now be included in coverage.

He said premiums for producers will drop 16 per cent from last year, and coverage is also down.

Bjornerud says in 2009, the average coverage was about $134 per acre, but this year it drops to $122 per acre due to lower commodity prices.

Yield cushioning, which softens the impact of bad crop years, is now a permanent feature after being introduced last year.

Soybean producer Kevin Elmy liked the changes.

``There's going to be a lot higher comfort level going ahead with the soybeans, and with more acres going in, guess what, the plant breeders are going to respond by producing more early maturing varieties that are going to pod higher and have higher yields.

``The government really responded to what the farmers' needs are this year,'' Elmy said.

Bjornerud says the government is always trying to improve the program.

He says last year 72 to 73 per cent of the acres in the province was covered, but he'd like to see that number go up.

Farmers have until March 31 to apply for coverage or make changes to their existing crop insurance contract.

(CTV Regina)

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