10% of Saskatchewan Peas and Lentils Harvested

VANCOUVER - Aug 18/11 - SNS -- Pea and lentil growers southern crop districts in Saskatchewan are making good harvest progress, according to the latest weekly crop report from Saskatchewan Agriculture.

So far, farmers in the province have harvested 3% of all crops, with most of the progress reported for peas, lentils, winter wheat and rye.

Roughly 21% of the winter wheat, 30% of the fall rye, 11% of the lentils and 10% of the field peas have been combined. Meanwhile, 12% of the canola, 6% of the mustard, and 1% of the spring wheat, oats and barley has been swathed.

Crop reporters also forecast yields within their regions for individual crops. This was not converted into a provincial yield estimate by Saskatchewan Agriculture.

It is important to note that Canada's first official production and updated seeded area estimates will be released on Wednesday, August 24 by Statistics Canada. The official estimate will be based on a survey of a large percentage of farmers across Canada; whereas the provincial estimates are based on crop tours and discussions with farmers by district crop reporters. Differences in information gathering strategies often results in significant differences between the provincial and official yield estimates.

Regional yield estimates from crop reporters point to a 35 bushel spring wheat crop and a 32 bushel durum crop; 68 bushels per acre of oat harvest; 53 bushels of barley; 20 bushels of flax and 27 bushels of canola.