2006-07-05
Author: 800 CHAB NEWS/ Government of Saskatchewan

Last week's warm temperatures have improved crop development and crop conditions, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's weekly crop report.

Almost 90 per cent of fall cereal crops are reported to be in good to excellent condition. Ninety-eight per cent are at normal development, or ahead of normal development for this time of year. Over 80 per cent of spring cereal crops are in good to excellent condition. Eighty-four per cent are at normal development, or ahead of normal development. Flax and canola crops are reported to be 84 and 76 per cent in good to excellent condition respectively, and 85 per cent are at normal development, or ahead of normal development.
Approximately 75 per cent of the pulse crops are in good to excellent condition, with 82 per cent reported as at, or ahead of, normal development.

Areas previously rated as surplus for topsoil moisture conditions have improved significantly from the spring. Eighty per cent of reporters rated crop land topsoil moisture as adequate. The hot weather has also improved the hay crop, and haying operations are
progressing. Nine per cent of the 2006 hay crop has been baled or silaged, with a further 21 per cent lying in the swath. Quality is generally expected to be good.

The main sources of crop damage during the past week were disease, heat and gophers.