CROP REPORT FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 7TH, 2006

Saskatchewan farmers now have nine per cent of the 2006 crop planted, down from the five year average of 11 per cent, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's weekly crop report.

Seeding is most advanced in the southwest, where 27 per cent of the crop has been planted. Farmers have seeded eight per cent of the crop in the southeast, and four per cent in the west central region. The remaining areas have less than three per cent of the crop seeded.

Some south western areas received precipitation last week, which helped improve topsoil moisture conditions. Overall, topsoil moisture conditions on crop land are similar to last week, with just over one quarter of crop reporters indicating surplus topsoil moisture conditions and just over two-thirds indicating adequate topsoil moisture conditions on crop land. In north eastern and east central regions, more than half of the reporters continue to report surplus moisture.

Across the province, two per cent of the winter wheat and three per cent of the fall rye were reported as winterkilled. Many farmers reported that damage came from flooding this spring.

Pre-seeding fieldwork continues as weather permits.

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For More Information, Contact:

Terry Bedard Agriculture and Food Regina Phone: (306) 787-5956 Email: tbedard@agr.gov.sk.ca