CROP REPORT FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 13, 2007

Saskatchewan farmers have now planted 31 per cent of the 2007 crop, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food’s weekly crop report.

The five-year average (2002-06 inclusive) is 27 per cent.  Seeding is most advanced in the southwest where 54 per cent of the crop has been planted.  Seeding is least advanced in the northeast, where only five per cent has been planted.   

Sixty-four per cent of peas have been planted, 54 per cent of lentils, 52 per cent of chickpeas, 45 per cent of durum, 29 per cent of mustard, 28 per cent of spring wheat, 26 per cent of canola, 20 per cent of barley, 13 per cent of triticale, 11 per cent of canary seed, nine per cent of flax and oats, and four per cent of sunflowers.  Early seeded crops are emerging in southern and central regions.
 
Overall, topsoil moisture conditions on crop land improved from last week, with the area of surplus moisture decreasing slightly.  Reporters indicated that 81 per cent of the crop land has adequate moisture and 13 per cent is in a surplus moisture situation.  Reporters noted that 80 per cent of the hay and pasture land has adequate moisture, 10 per cent has surplus topsoil moisture, and the remaining 10 per cent, primarily located in the southern part of the province, is reported as below adequate moisture.  The southeast received the most rainfall last week.  Southern regions were receiving rain at the time of the writing of this report.
 
Windy weather delayed spraying operations and dried out topsoil moisture.  Frost was damaging to alfalfa in west central areas.  Gophers continue to cause field and crop damage, mainly in southern areas of the province.

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For more information, contact:

Terry  Bedard
Agriculture and Food
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5956
Email: tbedard@agr.gov.sk.ca