The Canadian Wheat Board has announced opening contract calls for western red winter wheat for the 2006-07 crop year.

For the first time in the board's history the marketer began accepting winter wheat before the start of the new crop year, partially due to the fact officials knew the call would be coming August 1st.


Director of Weather and Crop Surveillance Bruce Burnett says that's due in part to the fact harvest began about 3 weeks ahead of average.


He adds yields in southern Manitoba have been well above average, and quality has been very good.


Burnett notes winter wheat progress in southern Saskatchewan is not as far ahead as in Manitoba.


Producers in Alberta are about a week to ten days away from finishing.