Released on September 10, 2007
Fifty-five per cent of the 2007 crop has been harvested, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's weekly crop report.
The five-year (2002-06) average is 44 per cent combined and 22 per cent lying in the swath, or ready to straight combine.
Combining progress is furthest advanced in the southwest, where 92 per cent of the crop has been combined. This is followed by the southeast, where 70 per cent of the crop has been combined to date. Combining is least advanced in the northwest, where 22 per cent of the crop has been harvested. Once again, northern areas received the most rainfall during the past week. This is causing further delays to crop maturity and harvest.
Crop reporters estimated that over 80 per cent of the 2007 spring wheat crop will place in the top two grades, as compared to the 10-year average of 70 per cent. Downgrading came from wheat midge and weathering. Yield estimates continue to indicate slightly below average production for 2007. The main sources of crop damage during the past week were wind and drought.
Seeding of fall crops is underway, with earlier-seeded crops already emerging. Lack of moisture is the biggest factor limiting fall seeding. Field work is also being hampered by dry soil conditions, particularly in southern regions.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Terry Bedard
Agriculture and Food
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5956