CROP REPORT FOR THE PERIOD JULY 17 TO 23, 2012

Saskatchewan livestock producers continue to make good haying progress and now have 79 per cent of the hay crop cut. Sixty-one per cent of the hay crop has been baled or put into silage, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's Weekly Crop Report. Eighty-four per cent of the provincial hay crop is rated as good to excellent in quality.

Haying progress varies across the province. Southwestern Saskatchewan has 89 per cent of the hay cut; southeastern Saskatchewan has 87 per cent cut; the west-central region has 67 per cent cut; the east-central region has 75 per cent cut; the northwest has 62 per cent cut; and the northeast has 81 per cent cut.

Thunderstorms rolled through some areas of the province, bringing varying amounts of precipitation. Crops are advancing quickly with the warm and dry weather and the majority of them are in good condition. Disease, insects, wind and hail are causing the majority of crop damage.

Cropland top soil moisture is rated as 13 per cent surplus, 72 per cent adequate, 14 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 73 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and one per cent very short.

Farmers are busy haying, controlling diseases and insects and getting ready for harvest.

Follow the 2012 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKGovAg.

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For more information, contact:

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