FINAL CROP REPORT FOR 2004

Saskatchewan farmers are expected to harvest 25.5 million tonnes of the major grains, oilseeds and specialty crops for 2004, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization's final crop report for the year.

The 2004 production is nine per cent above the 10-year average of 23.5 million tonnes, and 17 per cent above 2003 production of 21.8 million tonnes. The above average production is due to above average harvested area for winter wheat, barley, fall rye, triticale, canola, peas, mustard, lentils and canary seed – as well as above average yields for all crops except flax, canola and canary seed. On a provincial basis, yield estimates are expected to range from 71 to 127 per cent of average.

Quality of the 2004 crop is well below average. The spring wheat crop is estimated to be six per cent No. 1 Canada Western (CW), compared to 59 per cent 1 CW for the 10-year (1994-2003) average. Durum crop is expected to be six per cent No. 1 CW for 2004, compared to the 10-year average of 42 per cent. Twelve per cent of the oat crop is expected to grade No. 1 CW, compared to the 10-year average of 29 per cent. Malting barley grade for the 2004 crop is expected to be below the 10-year average – 25 per cent versus 33 per cent. One-third of the triticale crop is expected to grade No. 1. There is no 10-year crop report average for triticale.

Thirty-four per cent of the flax crop is expected to grade No. 1 CW, compared to the 10-year average of 86 per cent. Canola is also below average – 35 per cent for the 2004 crop versus the 10-year average of 79 per cent.

The mustard crop is expected to grade 45 per cent No. 1 Canada, versus the 10-year average of 78 per cent. With close to 65 per cent of the sunflowers combined, 16 per cent of that crop is expected to grade No. 1 Canada, compared to 80 per cent for the 10-year average. The lentil crop is expected to grade 44 per cent in the top two grades, compared to the 10-year average of 77 per cent. The pea crop is expected to grade 69 per cent in the top two grades, compared to the 10-year average of 82 per cent. The chickpea crop is expected to grade 10 per cent 1 CW. There is no 10-year average for chickpeas.

The rye crop is expected to grade 67 per cent in the top two grades, versus the 10-year average of 93 per cent. Winter wheat crops are expected to grade 15 per cent No. 1 CW, versus 55 per cent for the 10-year average.

Across the province, the first and second cuts of brome/alfalfa hay on dryland averaged 1.81 imperial tons per acre, well above the 10-year average of 1.02 imperial tons per acre.

As of November 21st, two per cent of the 2004 crop, or about 700,000 acres, was still unharvested. The majority of that is low quality crops.

Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as adequate by 75 per cent of reporters. On hay and pasture land, topsoil moisture conditions are rated as adequate by 68 per cent of reporters.

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For More Information, Contact:

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