StatsCan releases crop data

Statistics Canada released its Estimates of Production of Principal Field Crops report on Aug. 21.

Here are some of the major findings:

• Farmers reported they expect to produce less grains and oilseeds on the Prairies.

• Farmers in Ontario and Quebec could produce more soybeans. Soybean production in Quebec is expected to reach a new high at 610,000 tons. This optimism is based on a 5.0% increase in harvested area to an estimated 594,300 acres.

Ontario farmers expect an increase in soybean production of 1.6% to 2.5 million tons, the result of an additional 305,000 harvested acres to 2.4 million acres.

• In Western Canada, late germination caused by unfavourable conditions this spring has held back progress by about two weeks compared with normal.

• In the drought-stricken areas of Saskatchewan and Alberta, higher than normal abandonment was also shown to be a factor in the loss of production.

• In Ontario and Quebec, excessive moisture and cool growing conditions held back growing progress.

• Canola production on the Prairies should decline considerably. It’s estimated at 9.4 million tons; down 24.7 per cent from 2008.

• All three Prairie provinces reported possible decreases in production of barley and oats. Early indications are that Prairie barley production will fall 26.1 per cent to 8.3 million tones and oat production will fall 34.4 per cent to 2.6 million tons.

The July farm survey, which is a preliminary survey of field crop production, was conducted from July 27 to Aug. 4 and covered 14,600 Canadian farmers. The next production estimate is scheduled for release Oct. 2.