Ontario livestock risk management program enrolment numbers drop for 2012

Thursday, April 12, 2012

by SUSAN MANN

A total of 644 Ontario livestock farmers cancelled their insurance this year under the Risk Management program, says Agricorp spokesperson Stephanie Charest.

There were also 38 new applicants received. Agricorp sent out 4,011 renewal notices to its customers from 2011, the first year for the program, and signed up 3,405 applicants for the 2012 program.

Ontario Pork spokesman Keith Robbins says they’re pleased with the registrations for the 2012 program. Charest says the number of livestock risk management registrations  “continues to be in line with participation in other programs and it’s not too different from last year.”

The sign up deadline for the livestock program was March 16 but Agricorp will consider late applicants. “If someone’s late with something, we have an extenuating circumstance process,” she says.

Premium notices are going out and farmers should receive them by next week or the week after. Full payment or the first quarterly installment is due by April 30 for all livestock plans except cow-calf and sheep. For those two plans, the first semi-annual installment or full payment is due by July 31.

The program helps farmers manage risks beyond their control, such as fluctuating costs and market prices. BF