CROP REPORT FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 30TH, 2006

Saskatchewan farmers have seeded three per cent of the 2006 crop, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's weekly crop report.

The five-year (2001-05) average shows that two per cent of the crop is normally seeded at this time. Thirteen per cent of the crop is now planted in the southwest, two per cent is planted in the southeast, and less than one-half of one per cent is planted elsewhere in the province.

Topsoil moisture conditions are reported as adequate across the majority of the grainbelt. While areas of surplus moisture are slowly decreasing, the northeast and east central regions still report more than 50 per cent of the land suffering from surplus moisture.

The Stubble Subsoil Moisture Map for May 1st, 2006 indicates that most of the grain belt (80 per cent) has good to excellent subsoil moisture going into the 2006 cropping season. However, areas within the east central and northeast regions have surplus subsoil moisture due to significant rain in the fall of 2005, and abundant snowfall this past winter. Areas with poor to good subsoil moisture conditions are found in the southwest region, which had little winter precipitation. Producers in the southwest will need rainfall within the next few weeks in order to carry the crops, pasture and hay land.

Pre-seeding field work continues across the province. Progress is minimal in areas of surplus moisture.

Harvesting of crop left in the field over winter, (one per cent of the 2005 crop) was reported in central and northern regions.

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For More Information, Contact:

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