TWO-THIRDS OF THE 2000 CROP NOW HARVESTED

Good harvesting weather for much of last week enabled Saskatchewan farmers to

combine almost 9.5 million acres, to bring the total combined to 67 per cent,

according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's weekly crop report.



This compares with 39 per cent harvested last week and a five-year (1995-99)

average of 66 per cent. Last year at this time, only 40 per cent of the

harvest was complete.



The southern grainbelt has 77 per cent of the crop combined, with up to 98 per

cent combined in the southwest. The central grainbelt reports 69 per cent

combined, with up to 76 per cent combined in west central areas. The northern

grainbelt has 51 per cent of the crop combined, with up to 79 per cent complete

in north central areas. The northwest area of the province is the furthest

behind, with up to 85 per cent of the crop remaining in the field.



Winter wheat and fall rye crops are 99 per cent combined. Lentil and pea crops

are over 90 per cent combined, while the Saskatchewan mustard crop is over 80

per cent combined. Durum and barley crops are over 70 per cent combined, while

spring wheat and canola crops are over 60 per cent combined.



With 64 per cent of the spring wheat crop harvested, grade quality is expected

to be slightly below average. Of the harvested spring wheat, 53 per cent is

expected to grade No. 1 Canada Western, compared to a 10-year (1990-99) average

of 55 per cent. It is expected that this quality estimate will drop as more

wheat is harvested. Provincial yields are expected to be average to above

average.



The main sources of crop damage during the past week were wind and frost. The

winds continued to scatter swaths and shell out standing crops, while the

freezing temperatures of the past week are expected to further downgrade

quality.



Seeding of fall crops continues around the province. Farmers are also working

on baling straw, fall tillage, fall spraying and hauling bales.



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For more information, contact:



Terry Karwandy

Agriculture Economist

Statistics Branch

Agriculture and Food

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-5956