CROP REPORT FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 5, 2007

Farmers have four per cent of the 2007 crop combined, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's weekly crop report.

A further nine per cent has either been swathed or is ready to be straight combined. There has been some harvest activity in all regions of the province, and in all crops.

Fall cereals are reported to be about 80 per cent in good to excellent condition. Spring cereals are reported to be between 41 to 61 per cent in good to excellent condition. Oilseed crops are reported to be 57 to 60 per cent in good to excellent condition. Pulse crops are 49 to 58 per cent in good to excellent condition.

Topsoil moisture conditions on crop, hay, and pasture land deteriorated in all regions during the past week. Over three-quarters of the province's crop land is reported to be in short or very short topsoil moisture condition.

Desiccation of pulse crops is underway. While many areas of the province are looking for a rain shower to help finish off crops, reporters in some areas indicated that rain will no longer be beneficial and may reduce crop quality.

First-cut haying operations are nearing completion, with 89 per cent baled or put into silage. Although some areas have begun a second cut, with 12 per cent completed provincially, many reporters do not expect a second cut of hay in their areas.

Hot, dry conditions were the main source of crop damage during the past week. Many crop reporters indicated that yields will be reduced due to the heat. Insect damage came from bertha armyworms, wheat stem maggot, wheat midge, aphids, grasshoppers, flea beetles, diamond back moth larvae and sawflies. Disease pressures came from rust, root rot, aster yellows, sclerotinia, glume blotch, ascochyta blight, alternaria black spot and mildew. Other sources of crop damage during the past week included hail, wind and gophers.

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For more information, contact:

Terry Bedard
Agriculture and Food
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5956