October 5, 2009

 

This year's production of all wheat in Canada is seen at 24.58 million tonnes, up 4 percent from its previous forecast but down 14 percent from 28.61 million tonnes in 2008, according to an October 2 forecast by Statistics Canada.

 

The 2009 harvest was well under way with mainly dry and mild weather conditions across the country, the firm said in its Estimate of Principal Field Crops report. Less than desirable summer growing conditions have held back crop advancement and more time is needed to bring the crop in. However, reported yields for most crops were higher than those reported in the preliminary production survey taken at the end of July.

 

The latest report was based on a survey of about 14,000 farmers taken Sept. 1-9.

 

Canadian spring wheat production was forecast at 16.56 million tonnes, up about 3 percent from July but down 10 percent from 18.4 million tonnes in 2008. Winter wheat outturn was forecast at 2.95 million tonnes, up slightly from July but down 37 percent from 4.68 million tonnes last year.

 

Durum production in Canada was forecast at 5.06 million tonnes, up 12 percent from the July forecast but down 8 percent from 5.52 million tonnes in 2008.

 

Prairie farmers reported decreases in all major grains when compared to 2008, with the exception of spring wheat in Manitoba, Statistics Canada said.

 

This year's oats crop was forecast at roughly 2.9 million tonnes, down 3 percent from the previous forecast and down 32 percent from 4.27 million tonnes in 2008.

 

The 2009 barley crop was forecast at 9.16 million tonnes, up 2 percent from July but down 22 percent from 11.78 million tonnes in 2008.

 

Statistics Canada forecast canola production at 10.27 million tonnes, up 8 percent from July but down 19 percent from 12.64 million tonnes a year ago.

 

Corn production was forecast at 9.74 million tonnes, up 3 percent from the July forecast but down 8 percent from 2008.

 

Dry edible bean production was seen at 212,300 tonnes, down 3 percent from July and down 20 percent from last year. Dry field pea outturn was forecast at 3.16 million tonnes, up about 2 percent from July but down nearly 12 percent from last year.

 

The only production increases from 2008 were forecast for soy, at 3.59 million tonnes, up 3 percent from July and up 8 percent from 3.34 million tonnes in 2008, and for flaxseed, at 964,500 tonnes, up 5 percent from July and up 12 percent from 861,100 tonnes a year ago.

 

The next estimate of 2009 Canadian crop production will be released December 3.