Little Change in Total Crop Output

OTTAWA - Dec 6/07 - SNS -- Canada recorded little net change in total grain and oilseed production levels in 2007, though Statistics Canada reported a sharp drop in wheat output; bigger oats, barley and dry pea crops; smaller canola and flaxseed and crops; and a record grain corn harvest in Ontario and Quebec.

Data came from the annual November survey of 31,500 Canadian farmers, conducted from October 26 to November 19. These estimates are final for the 2007-2008 crop year.

Discussing the 2007 growing season, Statistics Canada said it "started off with adequate-to-good soil moisture conditions in much of the Prairies. Northern regions of all three Prairie provinces reported excess moisture conditions. Planting conditions varied this spring, with mainly abundant-to-excessive levels of moisture reported. As a result, field crops in some areas were seeded near the end of the spring planting season. By mid-summer, hot, dry conditions reduced expectations for the 2007-2008 crop year, especially in southern Saskatchewan and Alberta.

"As the harvest got under way this fall, many central and northern regions experienced cool and wet conditions, slowing harvest operations and reducing crop quality. Quality is generally considered lower than in 2006, but remains above average.

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