Modest Increase in Canadian Crop Size

OTTAWA - Oct 5/06 - SNS -- Western Canadian grain production levels are somewhat higher than initially expected, with Statistics Canada raising production estimates for several key crops.

A good part of the increase comes from Manitoba "where conditions improved considerably right up to the harvest. Even so, total grain and oilseed output will lag last year.

"Manitoba crop production should rebound strongly from levels in 2005, when excessively wet conditions had devastated crops. Late season heat is reported to have made some impressive increases in grain and oilseed production.

Above-average temperatures and dry conditions combined to stress western crops, but also allowed for quicker crop maturity and an early harvest. Many areas reported having most of their crop harvested at the time of the survey.

In the East, Quebec and Ontario farmers continue to expect above-average production for most major crops. The harvest for corn and soybeans remains several weeks away," Statistics Canada said. It reckons the crops will be above the recent 10-year average. Quebec expects a record soybean crop, but a smaller corn harvest.

        Canadian Crop Production Estimates
                  (metric tons)
                  2005      2006      2006    Annual
                            July      Today   Change
Total wheat      26,775    25,925    26,289     -1.8
Spring wheat     18,788    19,032    19,234      2.4
Barley           12,481    10,287    10,011    -19.8
Grain corn        9,461     8,960     8,823     -6.7
Canola            9,660     7,977     8,485    -12.2
Oats              3,432     3,776     3,782     10.2
Winter wheat      2,072     3,475     3,517     69.7
Durum wheat       5,915     3,418     3,538    -40.2
Soybeans          3,161     3,163     3,293      4.2
Dry field peas    3,100     2,784     2,753    -11.2
Flaxseed          1,082       978       959    -11.3