Severe thunderstorms scattered hail across southern Manitoba on July 31 and mangled a few crops.

Crop insurance claims were just beginning to come in on the afternoon of August 1, said David Van Deynze of Manitoba Agriculture Services Corporation.

Van Deynze said they were seeing a bank of claims from the U.S. border, ranging up through Snowflake, Manitou and Treherne. A few claims had also come in from the Portage la Prairie area.

Van Deynze said, thus far, damages don’t seem “overly drastic.”

Environment Canada reported hail ranging from “nickel sized” south of Holland and Elie to “teacup sized” at Rathwell.

Interviewed July 30, KAP president Bill Campbell was cautiously optimistic about the crop outlook.

“I think a lot of people are surprised at what the crops look like for what they’ve gone through. We’ll have to wait and see when it’s in the bin.”

Campbell added that conditions are variable across the province, “just like the rains have been.” Beans and corn will need more rain to finish.

On the forage front, Campbell said feed is going to be an issue and KAP will look to help producers where it can. He encouraged producers to go to feed specialists. “It’s better to be proactive.

“If we don’t get another rain and you’re feeding on September 15, that’s a long, long winter,” said Campbell.