CROP REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 28th, 2003

Ninety-five per cent of the 2003 harvest is complete, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization's weekly crop report.

Harvest progress this week remains ahead of the five-year (1998-2002) average of 83 per cent complete for this time of year.

Crops with more than 10 per cent remaining to be harvested include flax, sunflowers, and canary seed. The northwest is the only region with more than 10 per cent of the crops still to be harvested.

During the past week, crop damage was mainly caused by wind, migratory birds, and rain.

Topsoil moisture conditions on crop land have improved slightly since last week with one-third of reporters rating conditions as adequate, compared to 28 per cent last week. Twenty-four per cent of reporters rate topsoil moisture conditions on hay and pasture land as adequate, compared to 22 per cent last week.

Rains in late August and early September have revived some pastures. One-third of reporters rate pastures as fair to good, compared to 13 per cent in late August. Less than one-quarter rate pastures as very poor compared to close to half giving that rating in late August.

Availability of livestock water is rated as adequate by 78 per cent of reporters, compared to 82 per cent in late August. More rain is needed to replenish ground water supplies.

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For More Information, Contact:

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