Crop report Nr.IV - August 2005 (Saaz area)

1. Basic weather conditions datas

temperature °C

rainfalls mm

First half of August was underaverage from temperature and rainfalls point of wiev and it prolonged vegetation time of hopgardens. Lower rainfalls in August had no negative influence on the hop development and low intensity of sunshine influed creating of the alpha acids.

2. Evaluation of the vegetation

The hopgardens shortly before the beginning of harvesting gave requirement, that the yield will be slight overaverage – about 1,1 tonns per ha in case of Saaz variety. It was confirmed at the beginning of the harvest as well as lower content of alpha acids comparing with crop 2004. The average alpha acids content is about 3,2% (Saaz variety). The harvest started by most of growers between 19.8.2005 - 21.8.2005. Due to higher yields we expect the end of the harvest in period 4.9.2005 – 7.9.2005.

3. Pests and diseases

The month August was quiet difficult as far as red spider and downy mildew regards. Applicated agrochemical treatment against pests and diseases was realized in time and the quality of the hops should be good , what confirmed even first supllies to hop dealers.

4. Hop acreage according ÚKZÚZ by 20.8.2005:

overwiev of the acreage in the Czech REpublic according growing areas: