Looking back to plan ahead
Ontario winter wheat producers recently completed their 2017 harvest and are preparing for the 2018 planting season. Now is the time for winter wheat producers to consider the risks their crops might face and pick the Production Insurance coverage that meets their needs for the year ahead.
The 2017 growing season
Excellent planting conditions last fall provided a good start to the 2017 growing season. Crops wintered well and despite cool, wet weather across most of the province, winter wheat yields were still above average and quality was good. The yield map below shows soft red winter wheat yields across Ontario.
Agricorp is mailing Production Insurance payments in September to producers who had yield losses.
Claim prices for fall-seeded crops
Crop | Float | Fixed |
Soft red winter wheat | $5.59/bu | $4.30/bu |
Hard red winter wheat | $5.62/bu | $4.40/bu |
Soft white winter wheat | $5.73/bu | $4.40/bu |
Hard white winter wheat | $6.03/bu | $4.70/bu |
Organic winter wheat | n/a | $8.60/bu |
Organic winter spelt | n/a | $0.36/kg |
The fixed claim price is set at renewal time and provides a set value, which offers a lower premium cost alternative to the floating claim price. The floating claim price is set after harvest, using market prices from July and August, and is designed to compensate customers at current market prices.
Looking ahead to 2018
Fall-seeded renewal packages are being mailed in late September. Producers can also view 2018 winter wheat premium
rates on agricorp.com.
Once they receive their packages, producers should consider the following questions:
- What's happening in the industry that could affect their businesses?
- Have they reviewed their coverage levels? Do those levels still provide the best value and protection for their businesses?
- Have they spoken with an Agricorp employee about their options?
Reporting acres online helps all producers
Online reporting is open for fall-seeded crops from September to November. To easily report acres, there will be a shortcut on the agricorp.com homepage.
By reporting their Production Insurance acres online, winter wheat producers avoid call wait times and can report any day, any time. Reporting online also helps fellow producers by keeping the phone lines open for those who are facing challenges and need to report damage or get help with crop concerns.
Producers have until
November 8, 2017 to report their fall-seeded acres.
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