The insurance program covering wild rice growers in 2018 will be similar to last year’s program, according to the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation.
Premiums for 2018 remain at the same rate as last year, with the exception of 50 per cent coverage in the western region, falling from $0.58 an acre to $0.53 per acre, which is a difference of $0.05 per acre.
Meanwhile, 60 per cent and 70 per cent coverage in the western region will cost $0.92 an acre and $1.46 an acre, respectively.
The central region will continue to be significantly higher, with 50 per cent, 60 per cent and 70 per cent coverage to run at premiums of $1.03 an acre, $1.79 an acre and $2.74 an acre, respectively.
Premiums will again be lowest this year in the eastern region, as 50 per cent, 60 per cent, and 70 per cent coverage will cost producers premiums of $0.49, $0.80 and $1.28, respectively.
The average yields last year were 37 pounds per acre, 44 pounds per acre and 33 pounds per acre for the western, central and eastern regions, respectively.
Changes to the system come from a myriad of factors, according to SCIC President Shawn Jaques.
“Things that are taken into account are production. How many claims have we paid out? What was the production produced? Things like that,” said Jaques. “We saw in 2017 quite a few claims paid out, and that’s what’s going to be driving some of the changes.”
The year 2017 was seen as an extremely poor one by some wild rice growers. In an interview with MBC last October, the Wild Rice Association’s Executive Secretary, Lynn Riese, said the year’s harvest was the worst since 2005.
The deadline for paying or making payment arrangements on premiums is March 31.
(PHOTO: Wild rice harvest in fall of 2016. Photo courtesy Kandis Riese.)