CROP REPORT FOR THE PERIOD JUNE 30 TO JULY 7, 2009

Crop development has improved considerably across the province, thanks to the warm weather and moisture of the last two weeks, but the majority of crops are still behind normal in development, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's weekly Crop Report.

Seventy per cent of fall cereals are in the heading stage, while 17 per cent are already in the dough stage. Only 11 per cent of fall cereals are in the shot-blade stage. Thirty-six per cent of the spring cereals are in the shot-blade stage, with 17 and 38 per cent in the tillering and jointed stages, respectively. Twenty-eight per cent of canola and mustard is in the flowering stage, while 54 per cent is in the rosette stage and 16 per cent is still in the seedling stage. In pulse crops, 40 per cent is in the flowering stage, while 57 per cent is in the vegetative stage.

Provincial topsoil moisture conditions have declined slightly since last week. Cropland topsoil moisture is reported as 57 per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Hay land and pasture moisture conditions are reported as 47 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 11 per cent very short. Varying amounts of precipitation-ranging from light showers to hail and thunderstorms-were received across the province. While some areas have received adequate rainfall, many areas still need rain to improve moisture conditions. In the west-central region, precipitation varied from nil to 30 mm, and hay yields and quality are reported as below normal.

Eleven per cent of hay has been cut, while 84 per cent is still standing. Four per cent of the hay has already been harvested. The quality of the majority of the hay is reported as good to fair.

Dry conditions continue to be the largest single cause of crop damage. Grasshoppers and gophers are also causing damage in the south, southwest and northwest. Cutworm and flea beetle damage is still evident in the north. Hail damage accounted for five per cent of reported crop damage across the province.

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For more information, contact:

Grant McLean
Agriculture
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-3592