http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/star...7-58C97128F50D

Grasshoppers, hail storms damage crops

Tuesday, July 08, 2003
REGINA (SNN) -- Weekend rains helped ease the concerns of some
Saskatchewan farmers, but grasshoppers, wind and heat have still
damaged crops across the province.

"While I think most folks appreciate the rain and expect that it is
going to stop further damage, it's not going to completely reverse
what's been done," said Terry Karwandy, author of Saskatchewan
Agriculture's weekly crop report.

The central and northern areas got some moisture, but the south in
particular is still looking for rain, said Karwandy. Across the
province, fewer than 40 per cent of producers contributing data to the
crop report rated topsoil moisture on crops, hay and pasture land as
adequate.

Grasshoppers were reported in large numbers nearly everywhere. In some
areas, farmers have applied insecticide several times and are still
losing crops. Meanwhile, hail storms in the northern grainbelt damaged
crops in various areas.

Karwandy agreed with recent reports that crop potential is best
described as average, and not as a bumper crop as some had hoped.

"That word is definitely out."

But the scene is far better than the one farmers faced a year ago,
when they had just received their first taste of summer rain.

"It's certainly better than last year. They're looking at hay crops in
most areas, whereas I don't think we were looking at much of a hay
crop this time last year."

The hot weather did stress the hay crop, although Karwandy said it
allowed good haying progress to be made.

Almost one-third of the hay crop has been baled, with a further 20 per
cent lying in swath. Quality is expected to be fair to excellent.