Saskatchewan crop insurance coverage in 2021 will be at record levels but premiums are also on the rise.

Deputy premier Donna Harpauer says crop insurance coverage will reach 273 dollars per acre due to higher commodity prices and higher coverage, up from 224 dollars.

Coverage rises 22 percent while rates are up 16 percent.

The average premium per acre rises to 8 dollars 59 cents, up from 7 dollars 40 cents per acxre.

Harpauer says the average premium cost per dollar of coverage has dropped 42 percent over the past 10 years and continues to decline.

The establishment benefit values for canola, lentils, chickpeas and corn have increased with canola at 70 dollars per acre and large green lentils at 50 dollars.

New in 2021, producers growing tame hay will have more options while insuring their hay acres, either under the rainfall program or multi-peril.

The coverage for newly seeded native forage establishment benefit acres rises from 75 dollars to 200 dollars.

A new pilot program is being launched to provide coverage for damage to commercial cabbage and pumpkin crops.

A minimum of 8 acres is required to participate in the program and work is underway on insurance coverage options for commercial vegetable growers in Saskatchewan.

There are also updates for large-seeded Kabuli chickpeas with increased coverage levels for most of the 300 chickpea producers in the province.
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