Average Crops Found in Canada
OTTAWA - Dec 4/14 - SNS -- Canada's crops were smaller than last year's bumper, but most returned to levels seen in the years leading up to 2013, while soybean production reached its sixth consecutive record high, according to Statistics Canada's final crop report of the year.
The Statistics Canada survey of around 26,200 Canadian farmers between October 22 and November 13 found that the timing of rain throughout the fall led to a delayed harvest and lower yields in certain parts of the Prairies and in Eastern Canada.
Canadian farmers reported total wheat production of 29.3 million metric tons (MT), 22.0% lower than in 2013. Both harvested area (-9.4%) and average yield (-13.9%) decreased compared with 2013.
All three Prairie provinces drove the national wheat production decline as they reported both lower harvested areas and lower yields in 2014.
Nationally, canola production amounted to 15.6 million MT, down 13.4% from a record 18.0 million MT in 2013. This was the result of a 14.0% drop in average yield, from 40.0 bushels per acre in 2013 to 34.4 bushels per acre in 2014. Despite the decrease, the 2014 canola output still represents the second highest production level on record.
In Saskatchewan, canola production declined 14.5% to 7.6 million MT, while average yield was down 14.1% to 32.3 bushels per acre.
In Alberta, a 14.2% decrease in yield led to an 8.5% decrease in production to 5.5 million MT, since harvested area rose 6.7% from 2013 to 2014.
Manitoba farmers reported canola production of 2.3 million MT, down 19.4% from 2013. This decline was mainly the result of a 15.1% decrease in yield to 34.8 bushels per acre.
Record Soybeans
Canadian farmers reported another record soybean production in 2014, up 12.9% from 2013 to 6.0 million MT. Harvested area increased 20.2% to 5.5 million acres, more than offsetting a 6.1% decline in average yield.
Ontario soybean production rose 17.1% from 2013 to 3.8 million MT, surpassing the previous record set in 2012, while average yield (-0.9%) was marginally lower compared with 2013.
In Manitoba, soybean production reached a new record of 1.1 million MT, up 3.7% from 2013. This was the result of a 20.6% increase in harvested area, as yield decreased 14.1% from 2013 to 32.3 bushels per acre.
In Quebec, production of soybeans rose 6.0% to a record 898 000 MT. This gain occurred despite an 11.6% decrease in yield, as harvested area was up 20.0%.
Smaller Coarse Grain Output
Canadian corn for grain production was down 19.1% to 11.5 million MT. This was the result of a 17.1% decline in harvested area, combined with a 2.4% decrease in average yield to 149.2 bushels per acre.
In Ontario, production of corn for grain fell 15.6% to 7.6 million MT. This decline was attributable to a 15.8% decrease in harvested area, as average yield (+0.2%) was virtually unchanged from 2013.
Corn for grain production in Quebec decreased 19.8% to 3.0 million MT, as a result of declines in both harvested area (-13.9%) and average yield (-6.9%).
At the national level, farmers reported barley production of 7.1 million MT, down 30.5% from 2013. This was the result of decreases in both harvested area (-19.5%) and average yield (-13.7%).
Oat production totalled 2.9 million MT nationally, a 25.6% decrease from 2013. This was the result of declines in harvested area, down 18.0% to 2.3 million acres, and in yield, which fell 9.2% to 83.6 bushels per acre.
Only active subscribers can read all of this article.
If you are a subscriber, please log into the website.
If you are not a subscriber, click here to subscribe to this edition of the STAT website and to learn more about becoming a subscriber.
