March 31 is the deadline to apply for a new AgriInsurance contract or to make crop or coverage selection changes for the 2011 crop year. This reminder to producers was made today by Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Stan Struthers.
“Manitoba has experienced its fair share of extreme moisture conditions in the past and producers know all too well the challenges these events present to families and communities,” said Struthers. “We are in a strong position to meet the potential challenges of the spring, but we are asking producers to do the same and consider their options through AgriInsurance.”
Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) offers a full complement of insurance programs including:
• insurance for more than 60 crops;
• a variety of forage insurance options including:
• coverage for the establishment of forages;
• tame hay insurance for alfalfa, alfalfa grass mixtures, perennial grasses and clover;
• forage restoration for insured forage acres damaged by excess moisture and flooding that need to be re-established;
• forage seed insurance for alfalfa, pedigreed timothy and tall fescue.
• establishment coverage for strawberries and saskatoons; and
• coverage for vegetable crops.
Recent improvements to AgriInsurance include a 50 per cent increase to the forage restoration benefit and forage establishment insurance, bringing the coverage to $60 per acre.
Excess moisture insurance coverage remains a basic feature on all AgriInsurance contracts with the option for producers to buy a higher-dollar coverage or remove the standard five per cent deductible. In 2010, producers received over $27.5 million in excess moisture insurance claims, the second-highest payment in the history of the Excess Moisture Insurance Program.
“Manitoba’s producers have always been responsible and many have chosen to participate in the AgriInsurance program in the past,” said Struthers. “We want to encourage them to continue using insurance as the first line of protection against losses.”
Every year, efforts are made to enhance existing insurance programming or introduce new programs to support Manitoba producers, the minister said. The Pasture Days pilot program insures the summer grazing period and is continuing into its second year and, for the first time, an overwinter bee mortality insurance program will be introduced.
Under AgriInsurance, premiums for most programs are shared 40 per cent by participating farmers, 36 per cent by the Government of Canada and 24 per cent by the Province of Manitoba. Administrative expenses are paid 60 per cent by Canada and 40 per cent by Manitoba.
