CROP REPORT FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER 8 TO 14, 2009

There has been good harvest progress during the week. Thirty two per cent of the 2009 crop has been combined, up from 18 per cent last week, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's weekly Crop Report. An additional 27 per cent is swathed and eight per cent is ready to straight combine.

The five-year average (2004-2008) is 47 per cent harvested, ranging from 10 per cent in 2004 to 85 per cent in 2006.

The dry weather for much of the week allowed most farmers to progress with harvesting. However, this was slowed down in some areas by scattered showers during the week and the rainfall on Monday. Many areas are reporting short harvesting days with dew in the morning and evening. Ninety per cent of winter wheat, 88 per cent of fall rye, 78 per cent of lentils, 87 per cent of peas and 49 per cent of mustard have been harvested. Fourteen per cent of canola has been harvested and 65 per cent has been swathed.

Cropland topsoil moisture continues to decline in the province and is rated as two per cent surplus, 70 per cent adequate, 23 per cent short and five per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as one per cent surplus, 57 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short and 10 per cent very short.

Grasshoppers and sawfly are the major causes of crop damage reported. Monday rainfall and wind caused lodging and flooding in some areas. In addition, there are reports of canola swaths being blown around.

Farmers are busy combining, swathing, desiccating and hauling grain, while others are still waiting for the crops to mature. One to two weeks of warm, dry harvesting weather is still needed to get the crop off in decent shape.

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For more information, contact:

Grant Mclean
Agriculture
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-3592
Email: grant.mclean@gov.sk.ca