CROP REPORT FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2005

With some areas of the province receiving light rain earlier this week, and much of the province experiencing heavy rains on the weekend, weather conditions continue to impede harvest progress, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's weekly crop report.

Crop reporters indicate that farmers need an extended period of warm, drying weather to be able to harvest this year's crop. They estimate that 34 per cent of the crop has been combined (18 per cent last week), and another 37 per cent is lying in the swath, or is ready to straight combine. This compares to the five-year average of 46 per cent combined and 20 per cent lying in the swath, or ready to straight combine.

Combining progress is furthest advanced in the southwest where 63 per cent of the crop has been collected, followed by the southeast where 50 per cent of the crop is off. Combining is least advanced in the north where 10 to 11 per cent of the crop is off.

The main sources of crop damage during the past week were the rain and wind. Crop quality is being downgraded with each rain as farmers find bleaching, staining, sprouting, mould, and mildew. Lodging and soft fields will make the physical aspects of harvesting difficult.

Seeding of fall crops is underway and the ones that have emerged look good. Again this year, the slow harvest and excess moisture will have an affect on the amount of fall crop seeded.

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For More Information, Contact:

Terry Bedard Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Regina Phone: (306) 787-5956