Heat Stresses Saskatchewan Pulses

REGINA - Jul 24/06 - SNS -- Hot and dry weather through the third week of July continued to stress specialty crops in that province, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's weekly crop report.

Over the past two weeks the percentage of pulse crops rated good to excellent has dropped from 84% of pea and lentils crops and 66% of chickpeas to 62% of peas and lentils and just 34% of chickpeas. About 52% of the crop is considered at normal development.

"Crop reporters indicated that the continuing hot temperatures, coupled with the lack of rainfall, will cause further crop deterioration," the provincial agriculture department cautioned.

Even so, 84% of the lentil and pea crops are reported in good to excellent condition, while chickpea crops are 66% in good to excellent condition. So far, 90% of the pulse crops are reported as at, or ahead of, normal development.

Topsoil moisture conditions have deteriorated from last week, with areas of short and very short moisture increasing on both hay, pasture and crop land.

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