Principal field crops

Prairie farmers reported decreases in all major grains compared with 2008, with the exception of spring wheat in Manitoba. In Eastern Canada, Quebec and Ontario farmers reported potential increases in soybean production, with a possible record in Quebec.

The 2009 harvest is well under way with mainly dry and mild weather conditions across the country. Less than desirable summer growing conditions have held back crop advancement and more time is needed to bring in the crop. However, reported yields for most crops were higher than those reported in the preliminary production survey taken at the end of July.

Corn and soybean crops in Ontario and Quebec are maturing late this year and require warm and dry weather until October.

Canola production should fall

Prairie farmers reported that canola production is expected to fall 18.9% from 2008 to 10.2 million metric tonnes, the result of lower harvested area and yield.

Decreases were reported in all three Prairie provinces, with the largest volume and percentage decline found in Alberta, where farmers expect to harvest 35.8% less canola this year. The estimated production of 2.8 million tonnes would be the lowest production amount for Alberta since 2003.

Feed grain production should fall

Production of barley, oats and dry field peas are expected to be down in all Prairie provinces, the result of declines in yield and harvested area.

Prairie production of barley should fall 23.8% to 8.5 million tonnes, while oat production could drop 36.4% to 2.5 million tonnes. Field pea production (-11.5%) should also decline to 3.2 million tonnes.

More soybeans in Quebec and Ontario

Farmers in Quebec and Ontario reported increases in soybean production, the result of record harvested areas in both provinces.

Soybean production in Quebec could reach a new high of 610 000 tonnes, eclipsing the previous high set in 2008 at 600 000 tonnes. Ontario soybean production should rise by 6.0% to 2.6 million tonnes, the highest production estimate since 2006.

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 number 3401.

The publication Field Crop Reporting Series: "September estimate of production of principal field crops", Vol. 88, no. 7 (22-002-X, free), is now available from the Publications module of our website.

For more 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) or Dave Roeske (613-951-0572; dave.roeske@statcan.gc.ca), Agriculture Division.