CROP REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDED JULY 13, 2008

Much needed rain fell across almost all regions of the province last week, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's weekly crop report.

Provincially, fall cereal crops are reported to be 72 per cent in good to excellent condition, with 63 per cent of the crop at the normal stage of development for this time of year. Spring cereal crops are reported to be 73 per cent in good to excellent condition, with 48 per cent at normal development. Oilseed crops are reported to be 55 per cent in good to excellent condition, with 48 per cent at normal development. Pulse crops are 67 per cent in good to excellent condition, with 57 per cent at normal development.

Topsoil moisture conditions improved during the past week. Crop reporters rated 76 per cent of the cropland as having adequate topsoil moisture, up from 48 per cent the previous week. Twenty-three per cent of the cropland is rated as having below adequate moisture compared to 43 per cent the previous week. Hay and pasture land is now at 66 per cent adequate, compared to 37 per cent a week ago. The amount of hay and pasture land rated as short of moisture improved from 50 per cent last week to 29 per cent this week. The hay and pasture land rated as very short of moisture improved from 13 per cent last week to four per cent this week.

Forty-three per cent of the first cut of hay has been cut, baled or put into silage, compared to 25 per cent one week ago. Last week's rainfall slowed down haying operations. There have not been any second cuts of hay in the province to date.

Hail and strong winds were the main sources of crop damage this past week. Other sources of damage included wheat midge, leaf disease, grasshoppers and gophers.

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For more information, contact:

Wayne Thompson
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6806