CROP REPORT FOR WEEK OF JUNE 22ND

A hot, windy week took its toll on crops, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food, and Rural Revitalization's weekly crop report.

Topsoil moisture conditions on crop land deteriorated during the past week except in the northern grainbelt. The hardest hit area was the southeastern part of the grainbelt.

Provincially, sixty per cent of reporters rate crop land topsoil moisture as adequate and 47 per cent rate hay and pasture land topsoil moisture as adequate.

Some areas did receive moisture from thundershowers that went through the province on the weekend. In general, earlier seeded crops are looking much better than later seeded crops. Across the province as a whole, crop conditions are reported as good to excellent for at least 60 per cent of all crops with the exception of canola.

Pasture conditions have deteriorated since the end of May. Forty-nine per cent of reporters rate pasture in their area in good to excellent condition, compared with 75 per cent at the end of May. Livestock water supplies are also starting to suffer a bit, though 95 per cent of reporters say they have adequate supplies at this time.

Haying operations are just getting underway with four per cent of the 2003 hay crop cut and one per cent baled or silaged. Activity will become more general in the next week or so.

The main sources of crop damage during the past week were insects (grasshoppers, flea beetles, cut worms), drought, and wind. Spraying of insecticide continues with some producers reporting their second or third round of application.

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For More Information, Contact:

Terry Karwandy Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Regina Phone: (306)787-5956 Email: tkarwandy@agr.gov.sk.ca