Released on November 13, 1996
With about three per cent of the 1996 crop still in the field,primarily in the northeast, Saskatchewan farmers are expected to
harvest 28.5-million tonnes of the major grains, oilseeds and specialty
crops, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's final crop
report for the year.
This is 29 per cent above the ten-year (1986-95) average of 22.2-
million tonnes and 23 per cent above 1995 production of 23.2-million
tonnes. The above-average production is due to record harvested area
and a 42-year low in summerfallow area of 11.0-million acres.
Saskatchewan producers harvested above-average acreage of all crops
except wheat and rye.
Yield estimates vary across the province by area and crop. On a
provincial basis, yield estimates of all crops are expected to range
from average to 20 per cent above average. Yields across southern
Saskatchewan ranged from slightly below average to 30 per cent above
average. The average to below-average yields were mainly found in
south central areas where dry August weather was a factor in reducing
yields. The central and northern grainbelts experienced above-average
yields ranging from 10 to 30 per cent above normal.
Despite poor harvest weather, most Saskatchewan producers managed to
harvest an average-quality crop in 1996. Sixty-nine per cent of the
Saskatchewan spring wheat crop is expected to grade No. 1 and 2 Canada
Western (CW). On average, about 70 per cent of the spring wheat crop
falls in the top two grades. Fifty-nine per cent of the durum and 51
per cent of the oats crop are expected to be in the top two grades,
while 32 per cent of the barley is expected to be of malting quality.
Eighty-nine per cent of the flax and 83 per cent of the canola crops
are expected to grade No. 1. Ninety-five per cent of the fall rye and
84 per cent of the winter wheat crops are expected to fall into the top
two grades.
Specialty crop quality is also expected to be about average with 78 per
cent of the mustard and 79 per cent of the sunflowers expected to grade
No. 1 Canada, while 78 per cent of the lentils and 77 per cent of the
field peas are expected to grade No. 1 and 2 Canada.
Across the province, the first and second cut of tame hay yields
averaged 1.55-tons per acre, 15 per cent above the 10-year (1986-95)
average. Southern areas reported hay yields of 1.49-tons/acre, central
areas reported 1.55-tons per acre and northern areas reported 1.62-tons
per acre. While yields were above average across most of the
grainbelt, quality was below average in some areas due to the wet
weather associated with 1996 haying operations.
Much of the provincial grainbelt reports good topsoil moisture
conditions on crop land. Fair to poor moisture conditions are reported
in a band running diagonally from Lloydminster to Weyburn. Overall,
Saskatchewan farmers should have ample soil moisture conditions for the
spring of 1997 in the northeast, the southeast and the southwest.
Other areas will require adequate winter precipitation and/or early
spring moisture.
Hay and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated good to fair
across much of the province. Poor conditions are reported in central,
west central, south central and northwest areas of the province. Early
spring moisture will be required in these areas to encourage good hay
and pasture development.
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food wishes to extend a special thank you
to all of our crop reporters throughout the province who made the 1996
crop report possible.
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For more information, contact:
Terry Karwandy
Agriculture Economist
Statistics Branch
Agriculture and Food
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-5956