Record Corn and Canola Crops
OTTAWA - Aug 21/13 - SNS -- Canada is looking at harvesting record quantities of both canola and corn this year along with larger wheat, barley and oat crops, according to Statistics Canada's first 2013 production estimate.
The survey of 15,000 farmers was conducted between July 24 and August 5. At that time, Prairies farmers reported that climatic events over the previous few weeks, such as hail and heavy rain episodes, may have an adverse effect on some areas to be harvested.
Canadian farmers anticipate a record 14.7 million metric tons (MT) of canola in 2013, the result of a 21.9% rise in average yield to 33.7 bushels per acre. Farmers in all three Prairie provinces anticipate an increase in canola production, despite lower harvested areas.
In Saskatchewan, 7.2 million MT of canola are expected to be produced in 2013, up 16.6% from 2012. This is as a result of a 26.8% increase in the average yield to 31.2 bushels per acre. Harvested area is expected to decrease 8.2% to 10.1 million acres.
In Alberta, farmers anticipate 5.2 million MT of canola, a 5.6% increase over 2012. This increase is the result of a 13.1% increase in average yield, while the harvested area is expected to decrease 6.7% to 6.0 million acres.
In Manitoba, farmers expect canola production of 2.3 million MT, up 10.7% from 2012 as a result of a 27.2% gain in average yield to 33.2 bushels per acre. However, harvested area is set to decline 13.0% to 3.1 million acres.
12.9% More Wheat
At the national level, total wheat production is expected to reach 30.6 million MT in 2013, up 12.9% from 2012. This anticipated increase is a result of combined gains in harvested area, from 23.4 million acres in 2012 to 25.5 million acres in 2013, and in average yield, up 3.3% to 44.0 bushels per acre.
In Saskatchewan, farmers anticipate a 14.0% increase in total wheat production to 14.5 million MT.
In Alberta, total wheat production is expected to reach a record 9.4 million MT (+12.2%) in 2013, the result of a record average yield of 49.6 bushels per acre.
In Manitoba, total wheat production is expected to increase by 3.6% to 4.1 million MT.
Barley and Oats
Nationally, barley production is anticipated to rise 12.4% to 8.8 million MT in 2013. This increase is driven by a potential record average yield of 64.1 bushels per acre. However, harvested area is set to decline 5.2% to 6.3 million acres.
Canadian farmers expect oats production to increase 11.9% to reach 2.9 million MT. This gain is the result of another potential record average yield of 79.4 bushels per acre.
Corn
At the national level, corn for grain production is expected to increase 0.9%, surpassing the record set last year.
Ontario farmers anticipate a slight decrease in corn for grain production in 2013 compared with 2012, down 0.7% to 8.5 million MT. This is the result of a 1.8% decrease in harvested area, offsetting a 1.0% increase in average yield.
In Quebec, farmers anticipate a 1.3% increase in production to 3.6 million MT. This reflects a 6.2% increase in harvested area from 951,400 acres in 2012 to 1.0 million acres in 2013. Average yield is anticipated to decrease 4.6% to 138.3 bushels per acre.
In Manitoba, the production of corn for grain is set to increase from 815 400 MT in 2012 to a record 919 500 MT in 2013. This increase is a result of an anticipated record harvested area of 340,000 acres.
Soybeans
Nationally, soybean production in 2013 is anticipated to decrease 1.2% to 4.8 million MT.
Ontario soybean production is expected to fall 10.6% to 2.9 million MT in 2013. This decline is driven by combined decreases in harvested area, from 2.6 million acres in 2012 to 2.5 million acres in 2013, and in average yield, from 46.5 to 43.0 bushels per acre.
In Quebec, soybean production is expected to reach a record 830 000 MT in 2013. Average yield is expected to decline 2.3% to 42.9 bushels per acre, while harvested area is expected to increase 3.0%.
Manitoba farmers anticipate a record soybean production of 928 000 MT in 2013, up 22.2% from 2012. This increase reflects a record harvested area of 1.0 million acres, up 28.1% from 2012. However, average yield is expected to decrease 4.6% to 33.3 bushels per acre.
For the first year, soybean production in Saskatchewan is being estimated. It is expected to total 114,300 MT from 170,000 acres. Production has been slowly increasing in that province with the availability of varieties which take advantage of the available hours of daylight in the province and mature significantly faster than previous varieties.
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