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Total stocks of all major grains and oilseeds on March 31 were higher compared with the same day in 2008, with records set for canola and dry field peas. Total stocks (including commercial and on-farm inventories) rose as a result of strong production in 2008.
Canola stocks rise
Prairie on-farm stocks of canola rose 40.6% to a record 4.7 million metric tonnes. As of March 31, farmers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan reported above average amounts of canola, the result of strong production in 2008. Growers in Manitoba reported a 39.4% increase to 920 000 tonnes, and in Saskatchewan stocks were up 70.2% to 2.4 million tonnes.
Total stocks of canola in March were up 27.9% from March 2008 to 5.9 million tonnes.
Dry field peas up considerably
Total stocks of dry field peas rose considerably, the result of high production in 2008. Total stocks increased 92.5% to 1.7 million tonnes.
Note to readers
The March Farm Survey of 14,500 Canadian farmers is a survey of Canadian field crop stocks conducted from March 24 to March 31, 2009. Farmers were asked to report the amounts of grain, oilseeds and special crops in on-farm storage.
Data on commercial stocks of western major crops originate from the Canadian Grain Commission. Commercial stocks of corn and soybeans are estimated by a Statistics Canada sample of grain elevators in Eastern Canada.
Data on commercial stocks of special crops originate from a survey of handlers and agents of special crops.
National supply-disposition tables for the major grains and special crops are included in this report and will be included in future production and stock reports. Methodology details are published annually in the October issue of Cereals and Oilseeds Review (22-007-X, free).
Dry field pea on-farm stocks were well above average in Saskatchewan, with an increase of 112.6% to 1.0 million tonnes. In Alberta, stocks rose by 157.9% to 245 000 tonnes. Commercial stocks in Canada were up 36.4% to 375,000 tonnes.
Durum stocks up
Stocks of durum were up in all on-farm and commercial positions. Prairie on-farm stocks of durum rose 141.9% to 2.6 million tonnes, while total stocks (which include commercial positions) rose 85.8% to 3.8 million tonnes.
In spite of the increases, March stock levels remained well below all-time high levels.
Available on CANSIM: tables 001-0004, 001-0010, 001-0017 to 001-0020 and 001-0040 to 001-0043.
Definitions, data sources and methods: survey numbers, including related surveys, 3401, 3403, 3443, 3464 and 3476.
The publication Field Crop Reporting Series: Stocks of Canadian Grain at March 31, 2009, Vol. 88, no. 3 (22-002-X, free), is now available from the Publications module of our website.
For further information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release contact David Burroughs (613-951-5138; dave.burroughs@statcan.gc.ca), Karen Gray (204-983-2856; karen.gray@statcan.gc.ca), or Dave Roeske (613-951-0572; dave.roeske@statcan.gc.ca), Agriculture Division.
Table 1
| 2008 | 2009 | Five-year average | 2008 to 2009 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| thousands of metric tonnes | % change | |||
| Total wheat | 11 458 | 15 536 | 15 014 | 35.6 |
| Wheat excluding durum | 9 437 | 11 781 | 11 478 | 24.8 |
| Durum wheat | 2 021 | 3 755 | 3 536 | 85.8 |
| Barley | 4 460 | 6 054 | 5 641 | 35.7 |
| Corn for grain | 5 998 | 6 044 | 5 488 | 0.8 |
| Canola | 4 577 | 5 852 | 4 153 | 27.9 |
| Oats | 2 328 | 2 547 | 1 811 | 9.4 |
| Dry field peas | 870 | 1 675 | 1 136 | 92.5 |
| Soybeans | 1 020 | 1 177 | 1 371 | 15.4 |
| Flaxseed | 402 | 489 | 467 | 21.6 |
| Lentils | 330 | 197 | 460 | -40.3 |
| Rye | 86 | 176 | 208 | 104.7 |
| Canary seed | 152 | 157 | 198 | 3.3 |
| Chick peas | 134 | 107 | 87 | -20.1 |
| Mustard seed | 87 | 88 | 184 | 1.1 |
| Sunflower seed | 38 | 37 | 55 | -2.6 |
