FINAL CROP REPORT, OCTOBER 2008

Crop reporters estimated that farmers harvested an above average crop this year. However, farm incomes will be tempered by high input costs.

Seeding activity in the province began in the southwest by mid-April. By June 8, seeding was 99 per cent complete.

Farmers seeded an estimated 34.1 million acres. Crops were behind for much of the growing season due to cool weather. Harvest started in late July with some swathing in the southwest. Second growth from uneven germination and hail damage delayed the harvest of some crops. By the end of August only 20 per cent of the 2008 crop had been harvested. However, it picked up significantly by mid-September. Overall, fall harvest progress was slightly ahead of the five-year average.

Crop quality was above average. The amount of harvested crop falling into the top two grades was above the 10-year average. Downgrading of crops came from insects, ergot, hail and weathering.

Forage yields varied throughout the province. In the southwest and west central region, yields were below average.

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For more information, contact:

Terry Bedard
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5956