Production of principal field crops

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Production of total wheat and canola on the Prairies was down compared with 2009, according to the third and final production estimate for 2010. In contrast, farmers in Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba reported a record soybean crop.

Farmers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan reported problems with poor grain quality, the result of a slow and wet initial harvest and early frost damage. Yields for wheat and canola were lower than last year. In Alberta, however, farmers reported better yields for these same crops compared with 2009.

In Ontario and Quebec, very good harvest conditions were reported, with warm and dry conditions generally the rule. As a result, yields were higher than 2009 for soybeans.

Prairie total wheat production down

Total wheat production fell 14.6% to 21.0 million metric tonnes on the Prairies, down 3.6 million metric tonnes from 2009. Reported yield was 40.0 bushels per acre, unchanged from 2009.

Farmers reported significant declines in wheat production in Manitoba (-21.3%) and Saskatchewan (-26.4%), while Alberta farmers reported a 9.8% increase, the result of a strong yield of 46.8 bushels per acre.

Prairie canola production down slightly

Prairie farmers reported that canola production fell 4.6% from 2009 to 11.7 million metric tonnes, the result of a 2.3 bushels per acre decline in yield.

Canola production fell by 21.7% in Manitoba and 16.2% in Saskatchewan. In contrast, Alberta farmers harvested a record crop of 4.5 million metric tonnes, mainly due to a record harvested area of 5.4 million acres and a strong yield of 36.7 bushels per acre.

Record soybean production in Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba

Soybean production in Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba rose to it highest levels ever, primarily the result of strong yields and record harvested areas reported in all three provinces.

Ontario soybean production rose 16.4% to 3.0 million metric tonnes, 381 000 metric tonnes above the all-time high set in 2006, due to a yield of 46.0 bushels per acre and record harvested area of 2.4 million acres.

Quebec farmers reported a new high of 807 000 metric tonnes of soybeans in 2010, up 52.3% or 277 000 metric tonnes from 2009 and passing the record set in 2008 of 600 000 metric tonnes. This year's robust production was the result of the strongest yield ever of 46.0 bushels per acre and record harvested area of 644 900 acres.

Manitoba farmers reported record high soybean production of 435 400 metric tonnes, surpassing the previous high of 321 100 metric tonnes produced in 2009. These results were due to a record harvested area of 510 000 acres and a strong yield of 31.4 bushels per acre.

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: "November estimates of production of principal field crops", Vol. 89, no. 8 (22-002-X, free), is now available from the Key resource module of our website under Publications.

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), Yves Gilbert (613-951-2577; yves.gilbert@statcan.gc.ca), Dave Roeske (613-951-0572; dave.roeske@statcan.gc.ca), Agriculture Division.