CROP REPORT FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 19, 2007

Sixteen per cent of the 2007 crop has been combined, and a further 25 per cent has been swathed or is ready to be straight combined, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's weekly crop report.

The five-year (2002-2006) average is eight per cent combined and 14 per cent swathed or ready to straight combine at this time of year.

Harvest operations are most advanced in the southwest, where 40 per cent of the crop has been combined. Provincially, the winter wheat crop is 59 per cent combined, fall rye is 77 per cent combined, peas are 55 per cent combined and lentils are 58 per cent combined.

Crop reporters estimate that 93 per cent of the pea crop harvested to date will fall into the top two grades, compared to the 10-year average of 82 per cent. It's also estimated that 93 per cent of the lentil crop harvested to date will fall into the top two grades, compared to the 10-year average of 74 per cent. Reporters expect that the remainder of the crop to be harvested will be of lower quality.

Yields of brome/alfalfa hay on dry land are estimated at 1.7 tons per acre, above the 10-year (1997-2006) average of 1.1 tons per acre. Yields are estimated to be highest in the northeast, and lowest in the southwest region.

Rainfall improved topsoil moisture conditions in many areas. Fifty-four per cent of the crop land is reported to be in an adequate topsoil moisture situation, compared with 44 per cent last week. For hay and pasture land, 48 per cent is reported to have adequate topsoil moisture, up from 37 per cent last week.

Insects, drought stress and wind were the main source of crop damage during the past week. Weekend storms caused damage to crops resulting in lodging, shelling and quality down-grading.

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For more information, contact:

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