July 31 estimate of production of principal field crops, Canada

Prairie farmers reported they expect to produce 10.3 million tonnes of canola, exceeding the previous high of 9.4 million tonnes in 2007. In Quebec and Ontario, farmers anticipated strong gains in soybean production.

Data from the annual July farm survey, a preliminary survey of Canadian field crop production conducted from July 25 to August 4, indicated farmers in some regions were concerned that excessive rain and wet conditions have slowed crop development.

Despite excessive amounts of rain in many areas, Prairie farmers remained optimistic, reporting increases in potential yields for major field crops. Warmer weather, however, is required to finish crops.

At 10.3 million tonnes, canola production in the Prairies is expected to be up 8.7% from 2007. However, the full effect of ongoing crop damage due to hail is not yet known.

In Quebec and Ontario, although wet conditions have been slowing corn and soybean development, yield predictions for soybeans are improving. Farmers in these two provinces remained optimistic about their yield forecasts for grain corn.

Production up for wheat excluding durum

Prairie farmers reported they expect to harvest an above-average 17.5 million tonnes of wheat excluding durum, an increase of 19.6% or 2.9 million tonnes from 2007.

The previous five-year average (2003 to 2007) production was 17.2 million tonnes. Increases in both yield and harvested area combined to produce the increase.

Durum wheat production could rise strongly

In the Prairies, durum production is expected to rise 33.4% to 4.9 million tonnes, an increase of 1.2 million tonnes from 2007, the result of a strong increase in harvest area to 5.9 million acres.

The previous five-year average production estimate was 4.4 million tonnes.

Canola production up in Prairies

Prairie canola production is poised to rise above the previous high reported in 2007.

Prairie canola production could increase 821,000 tonnes to 10.3 million tonnes, the result of both an above average yield of 29.3 bushels per acre and an expected strong harvest area of 15.4 million acres.

Two out of three Prairie provinces may reach previously unattained levels of canola production. Manitoba production could grow to 2.1 million tonnes, exceeding the previous high level of 2.0 million tonnes in 2007.

Alberta farmers also reported an expected production increase for canola to 3.8 million tonnes. The former high of 3.7 million tonnes was reported in 2005.

Saskatchewan canola production should rise 8.3% to 4.4 million tonnes.

Prairie feed grain production set to decline

Prairie farmers expected production of barley and oats to fall in 2008 as a result of strong declines in harvested area.

Barley production should decrease slightly to 10.2 million tonnes, down 0.9%, and oat production is expected to drop 13.3% to 3.7 million tonnes.

Ontario, Quebec farmers in line to produce more soybeans but less grain corn

Farmers in Ontario and Quebec expected to produce less corn for grain, mainly due to declines in expected harvested area. Quebec corn production should fall 20.1% to 3.3 million tonnes, while Ontario production should decrease 12.6% to 6.1 million tonnes.

In both Quebec and Ontario, soybean production is expected to rise.

In Quebec, soybean production is forecast to increase 33.5% to 630,000 tonnes, a level not reached since the previous high of 535,000 tonnes set in 2006. This is the result of similar percentage increase in harvested area to a never before attained area of 573,300 acres.

Ontario farmers expected an increase in soybean production of 12.5% to 2.3 million tonnes, a level equivalent to the five-year average.