Two-Thirds of Pea Crop in Ground

VANCOUVER - May 15/07 - SNS -- Seeding of this year's crops in Saskatchewan is almost a third complete, compared to the recent five-year average of 27% in the ground by this time of year, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's weekly crop report.

Seeding is most advanced in the southwest where 54% of the crop has been planted. Seeding is least advanced in the northeast, where only 5% has been planted. More importantly, crop reporters around the province report some switching of land from cereals to pulses.

Field pea seeding is now 64% complete, versus 54% of lentils, 52% of chickpeas, 45% of durum, 29% of mustard, 28% of spring wheat, 26% of canola, 20% of barley, 13% of triticale, 11% of canary seed, 9% of flax and oats, and 4% of sunflowers. Early seeded crops are emerging in southern and central regions.

Overall, topsoil moisture conditions on crop land improved from last week, with the area of surplus moisture decreasing slightly. Reporters indicated that 81% of the crop land has adequate moisture and 13% is in a surplus moisture situation. The southeast received the most rainfall last week.

Windy weather delayed spraying operations and dried out topsoil moisture. Frost was damaging to alfalfa in west central areas. Gophers continue to cause field and crop damage, mainly in southern areas of the province.

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