CROP REPORT FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2005

Cool, wet weather continues to delay harvest progress, with 37 per cent of the crop combined, up from 34 per cent last week, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's weekly crop report.

Combining is furthest advanced in the southwest where 67 per cent of the crop is off, and is least advanced in the northwest where 11 per cent of the crop is off. The five-year average is 59 per cent combined.

Provincially, winter wheat is 93 per cent combined, fall rye is 89 per cent, peas are 80 per cent, lentils are 73 per cent and mustard is 53 per cent combined. Almost 25 per cent of the spring wheat has been harvested.

Reports continue of lodging, bleaching, staining and sprouting. Crop reporters expect downgrading of unharvested crops. Geese, ducks and cranes are damaging fields as they migrate south. A prolonged stretch of warm, dry weather will be needed for all the crops to be harvested this fall.

More fall rye and winter wheat was seeded during the past week. It is expected that the amount of fall crops seeded in some areas could decrease due to the slow harvest. Other fall work done this past week included harrowing, hauling bales, baling straw, fencing and fall herbicide application.

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For More Information, Contact:

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