Extreme heat drives livestock insurance claims past 2,000 cases

Extreme summer heat has led to over 2,000 livestock insurance claims in recent months, primarily affecting pigs and poultry. As of Friday, NongHyup Property & Casualty Insurance reported 2,135 cases filed by farms enrolled in livestock disaster insurance due to heat-related incidents. Ninety-nine percent of these claims were filed in July and August during an intensified heat wave.

Pigs were responsible for 1,628 of the total claims, while poultry accounted for 507. Livestock disaster insurance serves as a safety net for farmers, covering damage from heat waves, among other causes. The government subsidizes half of the insurance premiums. However, the heat wave damage rider is only available for pigs and poultry, as they are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat.

Pigs struggle to regulate their body temperature due to their thick fat layer, while chickens lack sweat glands and have difficulty cooling down, exacerbating the issue.