Released on October 6, 2003
With a return to warmer, drier weather, farmers were able to almost finish the 2003 harvest, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization's weekly crop report.Ninety-nine per cent of the 2003 crop is in the bin, compared with 78 per cent at this time last year, and the five year (1998-2002) average of 88 per cent. Crop reporters estimate that about 250,000 acres remain to be harvested.
While the weather was an aid to harvest, it was negative for soil moisture. On crop land, 27 per cent of reporters rate topsoil moisture as adequate, compared to 33 per cent last week. On hay and pasture land, 15 per cent of reporters rate topsoil moisture as adequate, compared to 24 per cent last week.
Grasshoppers continue to cause crop damage – both to unharvested crops and to emerging fall-seeded crops. Other sources of crop damage include wind, frost, and migrating birds.
The warm, dry weather is putting some fall field work on hold. Farmers are busy with baling, hauling bales, picking rocks, fall tillage, and some fertilizer and chemical application.
This is the last weekly crop report for the 2003 season. The final report will be released on October 23, 2003.
-30-
For More Information, Contact:
| Terry Bedard Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Regina Phone: (306)787-5956 Email: tbedard@agr.gov.sk.ca |