Excessive rain in parts of the Midwestern U.S. has put the brakes on many farmers' planting plans.

Comment: ‘A lick and a promise’ aren’t enough

It’s one of the worst seeding seasons in memory for Midwestern U.S. farmers and their government isn’t helping

Most American farmers spent the last week of May and the first week of June either driving through mud or stuck in it. Their two farming partners, Mother Nature and Uncle Sam, were little help; one brought threats of more rain and mud, the other threats of more tariffs and bailouts. Farmers in my neighbourhood,



Rain ok, frost less welcome on fields

Rain ok, frost less welcome on fields

Rainfall has topped up soil moisture, but it's too early to say if there was much frost damage

Farmers and crop insurance appreciated the rain late last week but not the frost. As of press time Monday farmers and agronomists across much of agro-Manitoba were assessing what, if any damage, below-freezing temperature had on crops early May 27. Manitoba Agriculture weather stations recorded below-freezing temperatures in most regions, with the central region seeing

Crop insurance deadline coming up

Crop insurance deadline coming up

Crop dollar values are generally slightly higher, while premiums on average are down seven per cent

The deadline for making crop insurance changes for the coming season, or enrolling for the first time, is nearly here. The March 31 deadline is a Sunday this year so Manitoba farmers have until Monday, April 1, says David Van Deynze, vice-president of insurance operations at the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC), which administers the


U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump survey damage and are briefed by a FEMA official on March 8, 2019 in Beauregard, Alabama, where 23 people in Lee County were killed by tornadoes earlier in the week. (Photo: Reuters/Mike Theiler)

Trump budget proposes steep subsidy cuts to U.S. farmers

Washington | Reuters — U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2020 budget on Monday proposed a 15 per cent cut for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, calling its subsidies to farmers “overly generous” at a time when they are going through the worst crisis in decades because of depressed commodity prices and Trump’s trade tariffs. The Republican

Emerging corn plants in Canada. (Sophie-Caron/iStock/Getty Images)

Saskatchewan offers up corn rainfall insurance plan

Saskatchewan’s crop insurance offerings for 2019 will include a new program allowing corn growers to insure against a substantial drop in moisture. The provincial and federal government on Feb. 26 rolled out Saskatchewan’s 2019 crop insurance program, in which coverage levels on average are to reach a record $230 per acre, up from $216 last


Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler announced consultation on a protein strategy for the province and higher crop insurance coverage in 2019 at a lower cost.

Protein consultations, higher crop insurance coverage coming

News from Ag Days 2019: Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler spoke about both at Ag Days

Manitoba’s agriculture minister had some good news for farmers at Manitoba Ag Days Jan. 22. Ralph Eichler announced consultations on a strategy to make Manitoba North America’s plant and animal protein supplier of choice. He also announced higher crop insurance coverage for Manitoba farmers this year and lower premiums. “We are in a great position



WLPIP expands payment window

WLPIP expands payment window

The cattle industry has welcomed insurance changes 
that will allow it to hold back premiums on its WLPIP policies until after the plan expires

MASC says changes to the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program will give cash-starved producers more flexibility when it comes time to pay. Farmers now have until 30 days after their policy expires to pay premiums, rather than having to pay at the time the policy is purchased. MASC has introduced a payment on account option

Farmers need to call crop insurance before destroying crops, even if they don’t think they are in a claim position because the yield counts as part of a farmer’s long-term average, resulting in higher crop insurance coverage.

No rush to crop insurance yet

Before destroying a crop be sure to contact MASC even if you don’t expect a payout

Farmers should contact their crop insurance representative before destroying unharvested crops — even if they don’t expect to qualify for a payment, a Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation official says. David Van Deynze, MASC’s vice-president of insurance operations, said if the crop is badly degraded, or impractical to harvest, adjusters will still estimate the yield that