CROP REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING SEPT. 21ST

Cool, wet weather slowed harvest progress during the past week, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization's weekly crop report.

As a result, only 91 per cent of the 2003 crop has been combined compared to 89 per cent last week. At this time last year, 47 per cent of the crop had been combined. The five-year average (1998-2002) is 71 per cent combined.

Crops with more than 10 per cent to harvest include oats, flax, canola, sunflowers, canary seed, and chickpeas.

As more and more of the crop is off the field, crop damage reports decrease. Grasshoppers, wind, and frost continue to cause some crop damage. As well, there were reports of bleaching and staining.

Topsoil moisture conditions have generally improved across the province in the last week, particularly in southern and central areas. Twenty-nine per cent of reporters rate their crop land as having adequate topsoil moisture, compared to 24 per cent last week; and 22 per cent rate their hay and pasture land as having adequate topsoil moisture, compared to 19 per cent last week.

More fall rye and winter wheat was seeded during the past week. Some farmers were able to start post-harvest weed control and fertilizer application. Most farmers continue to bale straw and to haul bales home.

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For More Information, Contact:

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