CROP REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING MAY 25, 2008

Saskatchewan farmers have seeded 86 per cent of the 2008 crop, putting them ahead of the five-year (2003-07) average of 73 per cent, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's weekly crop report.

The southwest is furthest advanced at 91 per cent of the crop planted, and the northwest is least advanced at 77 per cent. Early-seeded crops are emerging in all areas of the province.

Half of fall cereal crops are rated at normal development and 48 per cent are rated behind in development. Spring cereals are rated as 44 per cent normal and 53 per cent behind normal development. Oilseeds are rated as 40 per cent normal and 58 per cent behind. Pulse crops are rated as 48 per cent normal and 51 per cent behind.

Crop reporters indicated that 49 per cent of crop land has adequate topsoil moisture, which is similar to last week's figures. The balance of the crop land is rated as short to very short for topsoil moisture. Provincially, reporters rate 39 per cent of hay and pasture land in an adequate topsoil moisture situation, similar to last week. Weekend rain improved moisture conditions in southern areas of the province.

Pasture conditions have improved since the end of April with almost 60 per cent of the pastures rated as fair to excellent, up from 46 per cent. Livestock water supplies are rated as 78 per cent adequate, similar to the end of April.

Wind, frost and dry conditions were the main sources of crop damage this past week. Other sources of crop damage included gophers, flea beetles, pea leaf weevils and cutworms.

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For more information, contact:

Terry Bedard
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5956