October 5, 2007

Canada's corn production to rise 17 percent this year

Canadian farmers are expected to harvest almost 10.6 million tonnes of corn this year, a jump of more than 17 percent on 2006, bringing about a much-needed lowering of grain prices, according to Statistics Canada.

Farmers in Ontario and Quebec are expected to harvest record amounts of corn.

Production of barley, oats and field peas is also expected to be up across the Prairie provinces due to increased acreage and better yields, the agency said.

Barley production is expected to be 23.5 percent up from last year to reach 11.8 million tonnes.

Although farmers in western Canada, Ontario and Quebec should harvest more feed grain this fall, oilseed production -- rapeseed, soy and flax -- will be off from last year.