Production of principal field crops, November 2014
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Released: 2014-12-04
Production of most Canadian field crops declined in 2014 from bumper crops in 2013, with most returning to levels seen in the years leading up to 2013. However, soybean production reached its sixth consecutive record high.
Farmers reported that the timing of rain throughout the fall led to a delayed harvest and lower yields in certain parts of the Prairies and in Eastern Canada.
Wheat
Canadian farmers reported total wheat production of 29.3 million tonnes, 22.0% lower than in 2013. Both harvested area (-9.4%) and average yield (-13.9%) decreased compared with 2013.
All three Prairie provinces drove the national wheat production decline as they reported both lower harvested areas and lower yields in 2014.
Canola
Nationally, canola production amounted to 15.6 million tonnes, down 13.4% from a record 18.0 million tonnes in 2013. This was the result of a 14.0% drop in average yield, from 40.0 bushels per acre in 2013 to 34.4 bushels per acre in 2014. Despite the decrease, the 2014 canola output still represents the second highest production level on record.
In Saskatchewan, canola production declined 14.5% to 7.6 million tonnes, while average yield was down 14.1% to 32.3 bushels per acre.
In Alberta, a 14.2% decrease in yield led to an 8.5% decrease in production to 5.5 million tonnes, since harvested area rose 6.7% from 2013 to 2014.
Manitoba farmers reported canola production of 2.3 million tonnes, down 19.4% from 2013. This decline was mainly the result of a 15.1% decrease in yield to 34.8 bushels per acre.
Soybeans
Canadian farmers reported another record soybean production in 2014, up 12.9% from 2013 to 6.0 million tonnes. Harvested area increased 20.2% to 5.5 million acres, more than offsetting a 6.1% decline in average yield.
Ontario soybean production rose 17.1% from 2013 to 3.8 million tonnes, surpassing the previous record set in 2012, while average yield (-0.9%) was marginally lower compared with 2013.
In Manitoba, soybean production reached a new record of 1.1 million tonnes, up 3.7% from 2013. This was the result of a 20.6% increase in harvested area, as yield decreased 14.1% from 2013 to 32.3 bushels per acre.
In Quebec, production of soybeans rose 6.0% to a record 898 000 tonnes. This gain occurred despite an 11.6% decrease in yield, as harvested area was up 20.0%.
Corn for grain
Canadian corn for grain production was down 19.1% to 11.5 million tonnes. This was the result of a 17.1% decline in harvested area, combined with a 2.4% decrease in average yield to 149.2 bushels per acre.
In Ontario, production of corn for grain fell 15.6% to 7.6 million tonnes. This decline was attributable to a 15.8% decrease in harvested area, as average yield (+0.2%) was virtually unchanged from 2013.
Corn for grain production in Quebec decreased 19.8% to 3.0 million tonnes, as a result of declines in both harvested area (-13.9%) and average yield (-6.9%).
Barley and oats
At the national level, farmers reported barley production of 7.1 million tonnes, down 30.5% from 2013. This was the result of decreases in both harvested area (-19.5%) and average yield (-13.7%).
Oat production totalled 2.9 million tonnes nationally, a 25.6% decrease from 2013. This was the result of declines in harvested area, down 18.0% to 2.3 million acres, and in yield, which fell 9.2% to 83.6 bushels per acre.
Note to readers
The November Farm Survey of field crop production contacted approximately 26,200 Canadian farmers from October 22 to November 13, 2014. Farmers were asked to report their estimated area, yield and production of grains, oilseeds and special crops.
Farm surveys collect data from Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta for all six surveys conducted during the crop year (which extends from March to December). However, data are collected twice a year only (in the June Farm survey on seeded areas and in the November Farm survey on final crop production) for Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and British Columbia, which together represent between 2% and 4% of national totals.
Percentage changes are calculated using unrounded data.
Auxiliary data source
As an additional tool to assess the growing conditions of field crops during the crop year, readers are invited to visit the Crop Condition Assessment Program web application, which uses remote sensing technology (satellite images). Readers can monitor a vegetation index of crop land, which is updated on a weekly basis.
Table CANSIM table001-0010: Estimated areas, yield, production and average farm price of principal field crops, in metric units.
Table CANSIM table001-0017: Estimated areas, yield, production, average farm price and total farm value of principal field crops, in imperial units.
Table CANSIM table001-0072 (new): Estimated areas, yield, production of genetically modified corn and soybeans, Quebec and Ontario, in metric and imperial units.
Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number survey number3401.
Contact information
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