CROP REPORT FOR OCTOBER 5, 2008

Saskatchewan farmers have harvested 95 per cent of the 2008 crop, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's weekly crop report. This is up from 82 per cent last week. Last year at this time, harvesting progress also stood at 95 per cent; the five-year average (2003-07) was 82 per cent harvested.

Harvest has progressed the furthest in the northeast, where it is 98 per cent complete. The south western and west central regions have 96 per cent of the crops harvested. The northwest has the largest amount of crop left in the field, but harvest is still reported as 89 per cent complete.

Yield estimates point to well-above-average production.

With 97 per cent of spring wheat harvested, crop reporters estimate that 86 per cent will fall into the top two grades, compared with the 10-year average of 68 per cent. Ergot was a downgrading factor in a number of areas.

During the past week, crop damage was caused by wind, frost, ergot, sprouting, bleaching, grasshoppers, waterfowl and wild game.

Farmers are spraying and fertilizing, hauling bales, picking rocks and doing other fall work.

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For more information, contact:

Terry Bedard
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5956