Crop Report for the week of July 6, 2003

Rain received in the last day or two will help some crops, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food, and Rural Revitalization's weekly crop report.

Many central and northern areas received rain on Saturday and Sunday, which is expected to improve deteriorating crop conditions in those areas. Across the province, less than 40 per cent of reporters rate topsoil moisture conditions on crop, hay and pasture land as adequate.

Crop conditions deteriorated across the grainbelt during the past two weeks due to high temperatures and winds. Provincially, crop conditions are reported as good to excellent for at least 50 per cent of all crops with the exception of chickpeas and flax. The hot, dry weather has accelerated crop development for spring crops. Reporters expressed concern about short crops and heat damage during flowering.

The main sources of crop damage during the past week were from insects and lack of moisture. Grasshoppers continue to be reported in damaging numbers across much of the province. In some areas, farmers have applied insecticide several times and are still losing crops. Hail storms caused crop damage in several areas across the province, but mainly across the northern grainbelt.

The hot weather has also caused stress for the hay crop, although it has allowed good haying progress to be made. Almost one-third of the 2003 hay crop has been baled or silaged, with a further 23 per cent lying in the swath. Quality is generally expected to be fair to excellent.

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For More Information, Contact:

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