CROP REPORT FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 17, 2003

Hot and dry weather rapidly advanced harvest operations to thirteen per cent of the 2003 crop, up from the five-year (1998-2002) average of seven per cent combined, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food, and Rural Revitalization's weekly crop report.

Harvest operations are furthest along in the southwest where 22 per cent of the crop has been combined, followed by the southeast where 16 per cent of the crop is off. The winter wheat crop is 88 per cent combined, fall rye is 86 per cent combined, peas are 63 per cent combined, and lentils are 46 per cent combined.

Ninety-eight per cent of the first-cut hay crop and 29 per cent of the second-cut has been baled or put into silage. Quality is generally expected to be good. About 60 per cent of the crop reporters do not expect a second cut of hay in their district.

Insects, heat, and drought stress were the main sources of crop damage during the past week. Some south eastern and several western areas of the province received hail with damage estimates ranging up to 100 per cent.

Topsoil moisture conditions on crop, hay, and pasture land continue to deteriorate. Over 60 per cent of reporters rate topsoil moisture on cropland as very poor. Pasture growth has been severely curtailed and some livestock owners are providing supplemental feed to their stock.

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For More Information, Contact:

Terry Karwandy Agriculture, Food, and Rural Revitalization Regina Phone: (306)787-5956