April 11, 2024
Ontario farmers who grow hay or pasture can have peace of mind knowing they have coverage that is responsive and easy to participate in.
Farmers growing forage can get
forage rainfall coverage for when there is not enough rain between May and August, too much rain at harvest time, or for both.
Coverage has responded over the years, as shown in the examples below. In fact, about 1,100 farmers take advantage of forage rainfall coverage, and more than $80 million has been paid in the last 10 years.
$4.8M
In 2019, unseasonably wet weather made first cut a challenge.
Coverage response:$4.8 million was paid to forage rainfall customers, with half of all excess rainfall customers getting payments.
$8M
In 2020, dry conditions limited hay and pasture growth in eastern Ontario.
Coverage response:$8 million was paid to forage rainfall customers, including every customer with insufficient rainfall coverage in the counties of Ottawa, and Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
$11M
In 2021, northwestern Ontario experienced extremely dry conditions.
Coverage response:$11 million was paid to forage rainfall customers, with $2 million going to insufficient rainfall customers in the Rainy River area, where the conditions were the driest.
$5.9M
In 2022, southern Wellington and Waterloo counties had dry weather.
Coverage response:$5.9 million was paid to forage rainfall customers, with all insufficient rainfall customers in southern Wellington and Waterloo getting payments to help cover their losses.
Maximizing forage coverage
When farmers renew or apply for forage rainfall coverage, they choose the value of forage they want to insure.
When
estimating the value of forage, farmers need to consider how much compensation is needed to replace forage or buy alternative feed.
Many forage customers could get 33% more coverage if they increase their selected value.
How to participate
New customers who want to enrol and existing customers who want to change their coverage need to contact Agricorp by
May 10, 2024.
Once farmers are signed up, Agricorp looks after the rest. After rainfall data is collected, payments are sent automatically to customers – it’s that easy.
