CROP REPORT FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 6, 2008

Saskatchewan farmers are planning to seed 39.5 million acres, which is three per cent below the 10-year (1998-2007) average of 40.6 million acres, and three per cent above last year's 38.4 million acres, according to Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture's first weekly crop report for 2008.

Crops that show increases in intended acreage include; spring wheat, durum, flax, canola, mustard, lentils and peas. Crops that are expected to show acreage decreases include; oats, barley, triticale, canary seed and chickpeas. Summerfallow area is expected to remain approximately the same as last year at 5.3 million acres, which is 17 per cent below the 10-year average.

Crop reporters indicated that there is some uncertainty about seeding plans, so seeding intentions may still change. Part of this uncertainty can be attributed to dry soil conditions in the southern part of the province, slow snow melt in northern areas and high input prices. Statistics Canada will release the results of its seeding intentions survey on April 21.

According to Saskatchewan Watershed Authority's April 2008 report, winter precipitation totals generally varied from below normal in southern areas to near normal in northern areas of the grainbelt. March weather patterns consisted of below normal precipitation and low daytime temperatures, followed by cold nights. This resulted in a very slow melt in southern areas of the province, and an overall reduction in runoff potential across the entire province.

The weekly crop report, compiled by Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, is based on estimates received from a network of provincial crop reporters.

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For more information, contact:

Terry Bedard
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5956
Email: terry.bedard@gov.sk.ca