Livestock producers in parched areas of Saskatchewan now have until mid-month to seed insured acres to cereal greenfeed.
The federal and provincial governments on Thursday announced an extension of Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp.’s deadline for seeding greenfeed to July 15, from June 30.
Producers signed up for crop insurance will now be able to seed and insure any cereal greenfeed crop, the province said in a release.
“The lack of moisture through the spring and so far this growing season has severely reduced the hay and forage crops in many parts of the province,” provincial Ag Minister Lyle Stewart said. “By being flexible with existing programs, we are hoping to help producers source the feed they need for their livestock.”
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A crop insurance customer who wants to use his or her annual crop acres for livestock grazing or for feed is asked to contact his or her local crop insurance office, the province said.
Eligible growers whose annual crops are waning in dry conditions can also register pre-harvest insurance claims if they don’t want to carry the crop through to harvest, the province added. If a producer takes a crop to harvest, but at a reduced yield, he or she can file a post-harvest claim.
Farmers enrolled in AgriStability can ask also about that program’s interim benefit option, through which they can access 50 per cent of their estimated final benefit early, the two governments said.
The Saskatchewan Pastures Program is already at capacity, the province noted, but added it has asked other organizations to consider opening any available conservation lands for grazing or salvaging of forage.
The province also said Thursday it will now allow sub-leasing of Crown lease land. Crown land lessees with “excess grazing or hay resources” can contact their regional ag ministry office to seek permission to sublet.
Producers, if need be, may also want to check in with the province’s feed grain and forage listing service, the government said. — AGCanada.com Network
