Canada sees crop production increases

Ottawa-Statistics Canada released its updated crop production forecast on Oct. 2, showing increases in grain and oilseed production over the August forecast due to warm September weather that spurred crop growth. Based on a Sept. 1-9 survey of some 14,000 Canadian farmers, the agency estimated the Canadian canola harvest at 10.27 million tons, up considerably from the 9.541 million tons forecast in August, but still well below last year’s record 12.642 million-ton crop. The largest volume and percentage decline from last year was reported in Alberta, where canola farmers expect to harvest 2.8 million tons, some 35.8 percent less than last year. All-wheat production in Canada was forecast at 24.581 million tons, also up from August’s forecasted 23.614 million tons, but well behind last year’s 28.611 million tons. The agency predicted a barley harvest of 9.17 million tons, up from the August estimate of 8.948 million tons, but 22.2 percent lower than last year’s 11.781 million tons. Flaxseed production was estimated at 965,000 tons, 50,000 tons higher than the August estimate and well above last year’s 861,100 tons. Canadian oat production was estimated at 2.9 million tons, down slightly from the August prediction of 2.967 million tons, and significantly lower than last year’s 4.272 million tons. Dry field pea production was estimated at 3.161 million tons, only slightly better than the August estimate, and some 11.5 percent lower than last year’s 3.571 million tons. Grain corn production was estimated at 9.739 million tons, up from the August estimate of 9.437 million tons, but below the 2008 production of 10.592 million tons. The soybean production estimate came in at 3.597 million tons, an improvement from August’s prediction and last year’s 3.336 million-ton production. Farmers in Quebec and Ontario reported increases in soybean production, the report noted, with soybean production in Quebec potentially reaching a new high of 610,000 tons. Statistics Canada will next estimate crop production on Dec. 3, and most analysts are expecting higher production figures based on the unseasonably warm weather and ideal late-summer growing conditions that blanketed the Canadian prairies during the second half of September.