Special Crop Condition Remains Good

REGINA - Jul 5/06 - SNS -- Specialty crop conditions in Saskatchewan were little changed on the week, with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food rating crops in mainly good to excellent condition across the province.

In its weekly crop progress report, the provincial agriculture department said, "Approximately, 75% of the pulse crops are in good to excellent condition, with 82% reported as at, or ahead of, normal development."

In South eastern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 1, 2, & 3ase) crop reporters rated specialty crops in good to excellent condition at the following percentages: Mustard – 85%; Sunflowers – 85%; Lentils – 83%; Peas – 88%; Canary seed – 90%; and Chickpeas – 62%.

Most crops have maintained condition from last week, with the exception of sunflower, and chickpea crops which have deteriorated in condition. For crop development, south eastern reporters pulse crops as 68% at normal, and 22% ahead of normal.

Rain is needed in many areas to prevent crop damage. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland deteriorated, with 15% of reporters rating topsoil moisture as short to very short compared with 4% last week. Less crop land is considered to be in a surplus moisture situation. Damage from fungal diseases, including tan spot, rust, and ascochyta blight, was reported in CDs 1b, 2, and 3ase. Fungicide was applied in some areas.

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