Production of principal field crops

Western Canadian farmers reported vastly improved production for most major field crops this year, following one of the worst seasons in the past quarter century in 2002.

Production rose across the board this year, ranging from a 10% gain in durum wheat to a 78% increase in barley production, according to the November Crops Survey of 32,000 farm operators, conducted by telephone from October 28 to November 20.

Farmers were asked to report their seeded areas and harvested areas, as well as yields of major grains, specialty crops and oilseeds. This is the final production release for 2003.

Production went up for the first time since 1999. This marked a substantial turnaround from 2002, when weather, disease and insects reduced yields and downgraded quality for the producers who were fortunate to have a crop to harvest.

This year, conditions varied considerably across the west, especially in the second half of the year when dry conditions prevailed in the south and west.

However, harvesting conditions were good, and the quality of grains and oilseeds was high. Fusarium was not a problem this year in wheat or barley.

In eastern Canada, farmers also experienced favourable growing conditions in most parts, resulting in a record corn crop in Quebec.

Wheat production up in both east and west

Total wheat production in western Canada nearly returned to the five-year average, rising 45% from 2002 to 21.1 million tonnes. This was the result of an increase in harvested area and a gain of 6 bushels per acre in yield.

This gain couldn't come at a better time for farmers, as world wheat ending stocks are forecast at a 20-year low.

Spring wheat production in the west rose a sharp 55% to 16.1 million tonnes, the result of a larger harvested area and improved yield. This is just below the five-year average of 16.4 million tonnes. Production gains were reported in all western provinces, ranging from 20% in Manitoba to 88% in Alberta.

Durum production rose 10% to 4.3 million tonnes, the result of a comparable increase in harvested area. The five-year average production for durum wheat is 4.6 million tonnes. Three-quarters of the durum crop is grown in Saskatchewan, with the remainder in Alberta and Manitoba.

In Ontario, winter wheat production jumped to a record 2.1 million tonnes, easily passing the record 1.4 million tonnes set in 1999. A large increase in harvested area and a record yield of 76 bushels per acre combined to produce the increase.

Barley production exceeds five-year average

Farmers in western Canada reported a strong 78% gain in barley production to 11.4 million tonnes. This was the result of a larger harvested area of 2.8 million acres and a gain in yield of 12 bushels per acre. Increases in production were reported in all Prairie Provinces, ranging from 115% in Alberta to 17% in Manitoba.

Farmers can expect improved export opportunities to emerge, the result of declines in barley production in the European Union and Eastern Europe.

Canola production returns to normal

Western farmers harvested 6.6 million tonnes of canola this year, an increase of 60%, or 2.5 million tonnes. The five-year average production for canola is 6.5 million tonnes. Harvested area was up 44%, or 3.5 million acres.

Production increases were reported in all western provinces, with the largest gain reported in Alberta, followed by Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Industry forecasters predict that exports are expected to increase this year, the result of increased shipments to Mexico and China.

Production of oats exceeds average

Oat production in western Canada increased 31% to 3.3 million tonnes, as a result of increases in both yield and harvested acreage. Alberta led the way, more than doubling production, followed by Saskatchewan and Manitoba

Field pea production returns to normal levels

After two years of declines, field pea production bounced back in line with the five-year average of 2.2 million tonnes. Production rose 55% to 2.1 million tonnes.

Improvements in yield and harvested acreage (lower abandonment) were reported. Increases were reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Record grain corn production in Quebec

Canadian grain corn production hit 9.6 million tonnes, a 7% increase from 2002. Favourable growing conditions in Ontario and Quebec boosted yields by 12%.

Production increased in both Ontario and Quebec. Quebec farmers reported a record 3.5 million tonnes, a 13% improvement over the previous record set just in 2002.

In Ontario, production rose 2% to 5.6 million tonnes, and it was still above the 10-year average of 5.4 million tonnes.

Soybean production decrease

Soybean production was down this year, the result of lower harvested area and yield in Ontario.

Production in Ontario fell 9% to 1.9 million tonnes, an estimate just below the five-year average of 2.0 million tonnes. Production in Quebec jumped 22% to 385,000 tonnes.

Available on CANSIM: tables 001-0004, 001-0010, 001-0017, 001-0018, 001-0019 and 001-0020.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 3401.

Field crop reporting series: November estimates of production of principal field crops, Canada, Vol. 82, no. 8 (22-002-XIB, $12/$71; 22-002-XPB, $17/$95) is now available.

For more information, contact David Roeske (613-951-0572; david.roeske@statcan.gc.ca) or Nicole Strang (613-951-2511; nicole.strang@statcan.gc.ca), Agriculture Division.