CROP REPORT FOR WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 7th, 2003

Saskatchewan farmers now have 81 per cent of the 2003 crop in the bin, up from 60 per cent last week, and well ahead of the five-year (1998-2002) average of 46 per cent complete, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization's weekly crop report.

The harvest is most advanced in the southwest, where 91 per cent of the crop is complete. The northwest is close behind with 68 per cent of the harvest complete.

The winter wheat and fall rye harvest are almost complete. Harvesting of peas, lentils, and durum is more than 90 per cent finished at the provincial level. Crops with more than 50 per cent left to harvest include sunflowers and flax.

Hot and dry weather in most areas this week continued to deteriorate moisture conditions in top soil. On crop land, 74 per cent of reporters this week rated topsoil moisture as very short, compared with 64 per cent last week. On hay and pasture land, 80 per cent of reporters this week rated topsoil moisture as very short, compared with 71 per cent last week.

Strong winds were damaging to crops in many areas of the province, scattering swaths and shelling crops. Grasshoppers continued to cause damage to unharvested crops. Many farmers are waiting for moisture before seeding fall crops or continuing with most fall field work. Straw is being baled, as is slough hay. Some livestock owners report having to provide supplemental feed to their stock.

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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