CROP REPORT FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER 29 TO OCTOBER 5, 2009

Wet, cold weather hampered harvesting this past week, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's weekly Crop Report.

Seventy-six per cent of the 2009 crop has been combined, a slight increase from the 72 per cent reported last week. Fourteen per cent is swathed and five per cent is ready to straight-combine.

The five-year (2004-2008) average for this time of year is 80 per cent harvested, although harvest has ranged from as little as 51 per cent complete in 2004 to as much as 95 per cent complete in 2008.

Persistent wet and cool conditions brought harvest to a standstill in most areas. Farmers are worried that these conditions may significantly downgrade the unharvested crops.

All of the winter wheat, 92 per cent of the fall rye, 97 per cent of the lentils, 99 per cent of the peas, 84 per cent of the barley and durum and 74 per cent of spring wheat have been combined. Seventy-three per cent of chickpeas and 56 per cent of oats have been harvested. Sixty-five per cent of canola has been harvested and 34 per cent has been swathed. Eighty-seven per cent of mustard has been harvested and five per cent is ready to straight-combine. Forty-one per cent of canary seed and 29 per cent of flax have been harvested.

Province-wide, cropland topsoil moisture has improved and is rated as 15 per cent surplus, 63 per cent adequate, 16 per cent short and six per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as five per cent surplus, 63 per cent adequate, 22 per cent short and 10 per cent very short.

Wind, rain and frost were the major causes of crop damage.

Producers are hoping for several days of sunny warm weather so they can complete harvesting.

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For more information, contact:

Grant McLean
Agriculture
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-3592