Coarse Grain Output Up In Canada

OTTAWA - Dec 6/07 - SNS -- Coarse grain production levels increased in Canada this year, with Statistics Canada reporting solid increases in barley, oat and grain corn production levels in its final crop report of the 2007 growing season.

"Prairie barley production jumped to above-average levels. Farmers in all three Prairie provinces reported gains in production, with increases in harvest area more than offsetting declines in yield," Statistics Canada said.

"Barley production is estimated at 10.3 million MT, up 1.4 million metric tons (MT) from 2006, well above the five-year average of 9.7 million MT. Yields fell 8.4% to a below-average 50.6 bushels per acre and declined in all Prairie provinces.

"Oat production on the Prairies rose 24.4% to 4.2 million MT, an increase of 832,100 MT from 2006. The increase is the result of an above average yield and a 21.2% jump in harvested area. The five-year production average is 2.9 million MT. Gains in oat production were reported in Manitoba (+24.6%) and in Saskatchewan (+39.0%), while an 11.2% decline was reported in Alberta."

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