There was a big jump in hail losses in Alberta in 2016.

Total payouts in Alberta this year are reported at $64 million, compared to $50 million in 2015.

The total number of premiums was at $79 million, up slightly from $75 million a year ago.

Preliminary estimates show almost 20-thousand total crop hail claims from western Canadian farmers totalling over $256 million.

Producer premiums totalled just over $300 million for an industry-wide loss ratio of 84.8 per cent while Alberta's loss ratio was 81.8 per cent, compared 66.3 per cent in 2015.

Hail claims reported throughout the season were up over previous years, but the cost per claim was below average.

The first storm reported in Alberta was May 18, and the last one on October 1.