(Rural Roots Canada) – Hail across the Prairies continue to cause widespread crop damage, with insurance claims rising and the potential for significant losses increasing as crops near harvest.

The Canadian Crop Hail Association (CCHA) says recent storms between July 20 and 26 resulted in mostly light to medium damage, but in some areas—particularly Alberta—golf ball-sized hail caused heavy destruction over thousands of acres.

CCHA member companies are now investigating 473 crop damage claims from that period.

“The hailstorm event that happened this past Friday and Saturday will see more significant damages paid as a result of the recovery element diminishing as we head into August,” said Darryl Tiefenbach of Co-operative Hail Insurance Company.

COMPARE: Hail Claims Down in Mid-July Across Prairies

With crops maturing, hail damage tends to be more severe and less recoverable.

“All three provinces are starting to see heavier losses,” said Scott McQueen of Palliser Insurance. “As crops continue to mature, [they] become more susceptible to hail.”

Producers are being reminded to contact their insurance provider ahead of harvest if an adjuster has not yet inspected the damage, to ensure adequate representation is left in the field for assessment.

The report includes contributions from AG Direct Hail Insurance, Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, Co-operative Hail Insurance Company, Palliser Insurance, and Rain and Hail Insurance Services.

A detailed breakdown of regional storm impacts is expected to follow:

Alberta

Crops damaged: Barley, Beans, Canola, Chickpeas, Corn, Dill, Fababeans, Flax, Hemp, Lentils, Mustard, Oats, Peas, Potatoes, Rye, Soybeans, Sugarbeets, Wheat
Communities impacted include: Athabasca, Beaumont, Bellis, Bow City, Brooks, Bruderheim, Busby, Calmar, Camrose, Daysland, Desjarlais, Hamlin, Hawk Hills, Irma, Lac La Biche, Lacombe, Legal, Lomond, Manning, Medicine Hat, Millet, Milk River, Onefour, Ponoka, Ralston, Redwater, Rolling Hills, Saddle Lake, Schuler, St. Michael, St. Paul, Vulcan, Warner, Wetaskiwin

Manitoba

Crops damaged: Barley, Canola, Flax, Lentils, Peas, Rye Grass, Soybeans
Communities impacted include: Benito, Deloraine, Fertile, Medora, Melita, Minnedosa, Neepawa, Pierson, Sifton, Ste. Rose, Swan River, Tilston

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: Barley, Canary Seed, Canola, Flax, Lentils, Peas, Soybeans, Wheat
Communities impacted include: Assiniboia, Brownlee, Cadillac, Carnduff, Glen Ewan, Gravlebourg, Kronau, Lajorn, Manor, Moose Jaw, Oxbow, Redvers, Regina, Riceton, Rowatt, Sedley, Shaunavon, Weyburn

For more information and past reports, click here.