SARM Welcomes Enhancements to the 2009 Crop Insurance Program

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) welcomes the enhancements to the 2009 Crop Insurance Program that Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud announced today.

The enhancements include options for yield trending, full wild life damage compensation, a yield cushioning pilot program, expanded pricing options, enhanced experience discounts and improved establishment benefits and premiums. They also promised to undertake regular reviews of the Crop Insurance Program going forward.

SARM was a full participant in the Crop Insurance Review in 2008 and provided twelve recommendations. “We see many of those reflected in the announcement today, said SARM President David Marit.

“SARM would like to thank the province for recognizing that the crop insurance program we had wasn’t adequate and for making changes for the better, said Marit.  We also appreciate their commitment to more regular reviews of the program in the future as it should help ensure that the program continues to meet the needs of producers.”