The chair of the Canadian Crop Hail Association, Rick Omelchenko, says hail claims have been pouring in this month from farmers, mostly in the southern part of the Saskatchewan grainbelt.

He says there are over 820 claims across the prairies, with more than half from Saskatchewan during the past 2 weeks.

He says areas affected by hailstorms include Elrose, Assiniboia, Moose Jaw and Melfort.

Omelchenko says the hail damage ranges from light to severe with hailstones ranging from pea to golf ball in size.

Omelchenko says hail claims were below aveage in June but July is on par with a normal year.

He describes claims as heavy in Alberta, moderate in Saskatchewan and light in Manitoba.