WEATHER SLOWED HARVESTING ACTIVITIES

Weather conditions continued to slow harvest operations during the past week,

according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's weekly crop report. Farmers

now have 39 per cent of the 2000 crop harvested, up from 30 per cent last

week. This is ahead of last year's harvest progress of 24 per cent complete,

but is behind the five-year (1995-99) average of 48 per cent complete.



Harvest resumed in some areas by the weekend, but aeration and drying of crops

was needed in many cases.



Producers in the southern grainbelt have harvested 48 per cent of the crop,

with areas in the southwest up to 91 per cent complete. The central grainbelt

averages 39 per cent combined, with west central areas up to 56 per cent

complete. The northern grainbelt continues to be the least advanced at 27 per

cent complete, with northeastern areas reporting up to 46 per cent complete.



Crop quality estimates dropped significantly during the past week, due to rain

showers and humid conditions. With 30 per cent of the spring wheat crop

combined, 64 per cent is expected to grade No. 1 Canada Western (CW). The 10-

year (1990-99) average is 55 per cent 1 CW. The per cent of crop grading 1 CW

is expected to decline further as more crop is harvested.



Crop damage during the past week was mainly due to weathering. Winds continued

to lodge crops, scatter swaths and shatter ripe grains. The wet and humid

weather also caused bleaching, staining, sprouting and loss of sample weight.

Saw flies, grasshoppers, aphids and Lygus bugs continued to cause crop damage.

Deer, elk, ducks, geese, cranes and bears were also reported to be causing

damage to crops.



Seeding of fall rye and winter wheat crops continues. Farmers are also

desiccating, summerfallowing and baling straw.



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For more information, contact:



Terry Karwandy

Agriculture Economist

Statistics Branch

Agriculture and Food

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-5956