Released on August 15, 2005
Two per cent of the 2005 crop has been combined, and six per cent has been swathed or is ready to straight combine, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's weekly crop report.The five-year (2000-04) average is four per cent combined and eight per cent swathed or ready to straight combine at this time of year. Cool, damp weather halted some harvesting during the past week.
Ninety-three per cent of the first-cut hay crop and seven per cent of the second-cut has been baled or put into silage. Quality is generally expected to be good, though weather delays are deteriorating unbaled hay. More than half of the crop reporters do not expect a second cut of hay in their district.
Crop reporters have revised yield estimates down slightly from two weeks ago, reflecting some loss due to the hot, dry weather.
Topsoil moisture conditions on crop, hay, and pasture land are similar to last week and are reported as adequate by 25 to 30 per cent of reporters. The southwest and east central regions report the highest percentage of very short moisture conditions.
Harvest operations are most advanced in the southwest where six per cent of the crop has been combined, followed by the southeast with three per cent combined. The winter wheat crop is 33 per cent combined, fall rye is 37 per cent combined, peas are 16 per cent combined, and lentils are six per cent combined.
Insects and drought stress were the main sources of crop damage during the past week. Lodging is a concern in many areas of the province.
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For More Information, Contact:
| Terry Bedard Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Regina Phone: (306) 787-5956 |