CROP REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING AUGUST 24, 2008

Some progress was made on the harvest during the past week, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's weekly crop report.

Nine per cent of the 2008 crop has been combined and a further 19 per cent has been swathed or is ready to be straight combined. The five-year (2003-2007) average is 22 per cent combined and 23 per cent swathed or ready to straight combine at this time of year.

Harvest operations are most advanced in the southwest, where 20 per cent of the crop has been combined. Provincially, the winter wheat crop is 51 per cent combined, fall rye is 64 per cent harvested, peas are 47 per cent combined and lentils are 33 per cent combined. There are reports of lodging, bleaching and staining.

With three per cent of the durum crop combined, crop reporters estimate that 62 per cent will grade No. 1 CWAD and 33 per cent grade No. 2 CWAD. The 10-year crop report average is 40 per cent 1 CWAD and 29 per cent 2 CWAD.

Topsoil moisture conditions remain similar to last week, with 72 per cent of the crop land and 63 per cent of the hay and pasture land rated as being in an adequate topsoil moisture situation. Moisture conditions changed most significantly in the northeast, where the amount of land having short moisture increased by double-digit percentage points.

Crop damage came from grasshoppers, heavy rain, hail, wind and flooding. Some light, isolated frost damage may have occurred.

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For more information, contact:

Terry Bedard
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5956