CROP REPORT FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 17TH, 2005

Saskatchewan farmers are not planning to make major changes to the area they seed this spring, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's first weekly crop report for 2005.

They expect to increase or maintain the area they seed to all crops except spring wheat, canola, mustard, and canary seed.

The total forecast seeded area of 35.3-million acres is five per cent above the 10-year (1995-2004) average of 33.7-million acres, and about the same as last year's 35.4-million acres. Summerfallow area is estimated to increase about two per cent from 2004 to 6.3-million acres, and it is 30 per cent below the 10-year average.

Last fall, between two and three per cent of the crop was not harvested due to poor weather conditions. Reporters expect about 48 per cent of that unharvested crop to be combined this spring, again, depending on the weather conditions.

According to Saskatchewan Watershed Authority's April 1st, 2005 report, the accumulated winter snowfall, in the grain belt region, generally varied from below normal in central areas, to near normal in southern areas, to slightly above normal in northern areas. The 2005 spring runoff in the grainbelt region of the province is varied, from well below normal in south western and south central areas, to slightly above normal in northern areas.

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For More Information, Contact:

Scott Brown Agriculture and Food Regina Phone: (306) 787-4031