By Cam Lee

Crop Insurance Program applications accepted until March 31

Feb 19, 2025 | 12:09 PM

The federal and provincial governments have announced continued funding through the 2025 Crop Insurance Program, administered by the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC).

“Our business risk management programs are a producer’s first line of defense when it comes to protecting their operation,” Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay said in a news release. “Our government is pleased to partner with Saskatchewan to make sure producers have access to the support they need, when they need it.”

“SCIC’s Business Risk Management programs remain strong and are here for Saskatchewan producers when they have challenging times,” Provincial Ag Minister Daryl Harrison said. “The Crop Insurance Program offers producers the security they need, no matter what 2025 may have in store. I encourage all Saskatchewan producers to take a proactive approach to their coverage: select options, fine-tune and adjust coverage and costs within the program to further mitigate their risks.”

The SCIC’s Crop Insurance Program paid approximately $7 billion in claims over the last four years.

The provincial news release said Crop Insurance continues to be a sound program, with premiums set to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program. Program stability is possible through a combination of Crop Insurance premium and government funds, along with private reinsurance, according to the release.

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“Funds are managed to build premium reserves in good production years, in order for money to flow back to producers during challenging ones. Premiums are cost-shared 60 per cent by federal and provincial governments and 40 per cent by producers.

Administration costs are fully funded by federal and provincial governments,” said the release, which also states that SCIC collaborates regularly with industry groups to support farmers and ranchers.

“We appreciate the continued focus and work on forage insurance,” Saskatchewan Cattle Association (SCA) Chair Chad Ross said. “We are directly involved with the National Forage Working Group. Throughout the 2025 season, we will continue to consult on these projects, as producer feedback and understanding is critical in program design and acceptance.”

“This continued work on forage insurance has potential to improve the program for livestock producers,” Saskatchewan Stock Grower’s Association (SSGA) President Jeff Yorga said. “We look forward to our ongoing involvement at the national level, to ensure Saskatchewan producers have access to a variety of insurance options. We are hopeful, continued work throughout 2025, will bring it all together as another viable positive outcome for risk management programming.”

Producers are encouraged to plan and update their coverage yearly, based on the needs of their operation, as every growing season is unpredictable. In addition to Crop Insurance, producers can consider AgriStability, Livestock Price Insurance and the Wildlife Damage Compensation and Prevention programs in addition to Crop Insurance. For more information, contact a local SCIC office, call 1-888-935-0000 or visit: scic.ca.

Crop Insurance is a federal-provincial-producer cost-shared program that helps producers manage production and quality losses. Support for the program is provided under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) by the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan.

The deadline for Saskatchewan producers to apply, reinstate, or cancel their Crop Insurance contract is March 31, 2025. Producers must select their insured crops and coverage levels or make additional changes by this date, and they can talk with their local SCIC office to make changes or go over options.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com