FARMERS INCREASE SEEDED AREA FOR 2003

Saskatchewan farmers are planning to seed 34.6 million acres this spring, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization's first weekly crop report for 2003.

That is four per cent above the 10-year (1993-2002) average of 33.1 million acres and one per cent above last year's 34.3 million acres.

Farmers are forecast to increase or maintain the area they seed to all crops except sunflowers, lentils and chickpeas. Sunflower acreage is expected to decline by two per cent, lentils by four per cent and chickpeas by 30 per cent. The forecast declines in lentils and chickpeas are attributed to insect and disease pressures.

Summerfallow area is estimated to decrease about four per cent from 2002 to 7.1 million acres which is 31 per cent below the 10-year average.

2002-2003 winter precipitation varied from near normal in south central and eastern areas of the grainbelt, to slightly above normal in central areas. Northern and western areas of the grainbelt were below normal. However, a spring storm dumped significant snow amounts across southern and west central areas of the grainbelt region of the province. The April storm covered most areas of the grainbelt, but the highest snowfall amounts were recorded in southern and central areas.

Most crop reporters estimate an adequate supply of livestock feed grain and forage supplies. However, northwestern and west central regions report inadequate supplies.

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For More Information, Contact:

Terry Karwandy SAFRR Regina Phone: 787-5956