CROP REPORT FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 24, 2007

Crops are generally in good to excellent condition, though flooding and spraying delays caused concerns for farmers, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's weekly crop report.

All regions, except the southern region, averaged between 38 to 62 mm of rain during the past week. Some farmers still hope to plant some crops for greenfeed, but will not be able to seed for a harvestable fall crop.

Fall cereal crops are reported to be at least 90 per cent in good to excellent condition provincially, with 89 per cent of the crops at, or ahead of, normal development for this time of year. Spring cereal crops are over 85 per cent in good to excellent condition, with 71 per cent of the crops at, or ahead of, normal development. Flax and canola crops are reported to be 86 and 77 per cent in good to excellent condition respectively, and 64 per cent are at, or ahead of, normal development. Pulse crops are over 80 per cent in good to excellent condition, with 81 per cent reported to be at, or ahead of, normal development.

Topsoil moisture conditions on crop land deteriorated during the past week as a result of the heavy rains. Seventy-three per cent of crop land was rated as having adequate topsoil moisture, 25 per cent of crop land was rated as having surplus topsoil moisture, and two per cent of the land was rated as having short, to very short topsoil moisture. Hay and pasture land were slightly better, as 78 per cent of the land was rated as having adequate topsoil moisture conditions.

Pasture conditions have improved, with 95 per cent reported to be in good to excellent condition compared with 89 per cent at the end of May. Most areas of the province had adequate livestock water requirements.

Haying operations on the 2007 crop are just getting underway, with three per cent cut or baled. Warm, settled weather will help move haying operations along.

The main source of crop damage during the past week was flooding. Crop damage also came from gophers, hail, disease (ascochyta blight, leaf diseases), wind, and insects (flea beetles, grasshoppers, aphids, wire worms).

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For more information, contact:

Terry Bedard
Agriculture and Food
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5956