By Alice McFarlane

Crop production declines on poor weather in Western Canada

Aug 30, 2021 | 4:59 PM

MELFORT, Sask. — All indications are pointing to Canadian farmers harvesting less wheat, canola, soybeans, barley and oats this year.

Statistics Canada estimates released today used remote sensing/satellite imagery to produce information for Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec incorporating data up until July 31. The Atlantic provinces and B.C. are modeled based on standard, non-remote sensing method used since 2014.

The Production of Principal Field Crops report indicated lower production which has been driven largely by ongoing drought conditions in Western Canada.

Farmers on the prairies have had to contend with a lack of rain and higher-than-average temperatures throughout the growing season when soil moisture conditions were already low at the start of the year. These factors have impacted crop growth and yield potential.

Wheat production

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Wheat yields are expected to decrease 34.8 per cent year over year to 22.9 million tonnes in 2021. Average yields are estimated at 37.2 bushels per acre.

The decrease in wheat area was largely attributable to spring wheat which, in addition to having less seeded area in 2021, has been impacted by drought conditions.

Durum wheat yields are also expected to fall considerably, while winter wheat, which is predominantly grown in Ontario, is expected to yield in line with historical averages thanks to better growing conditions within the province.

In Saskatchewan, wheat harvested area is expected to fall 7.9 per cent to 11.8 million acres, while yields could decrease 33.8 per cent to 30.4 bushels per acre to bring total wheat production down 39.1 per cent.

Wheat yields in Alberta is expected to decrease 41.0 per cent to 32.9 bushels per acre in 2021, while harvested area is projected to fall 7.0 per cent.

Wheat production in Manitoba is projected to fall 24.1 per cent to 4.0 million tonnes, the result of lower harvested area and lower yields.

Canola production

Lower anticipated yields push canola production to its lowest level since 2012.

Nationally, canola production is expected to fall 24.3 per cent to 14.7 million tonnes in 2021, while yields are expected to hit its lowest level in ten years at 29.2 bushels per acre.

Canola production in Saskatchewan is expected to decrease 32.8 per cent to 7.4 million tonnes. Alberta is expected to produce 14.0 per cent less canola for a total of 4.5 million tonnes. Manitoba canola yield is expected to fall 14.5 per cent to 35.4 bushels per acre.

Barley and oat production

Barley production is expected to fall 27.0 per cent year over year to 7.8 million tonnes in 2021. Despite higher anticipated harvested area, lower yields due to hot, dry conditions are expected to push national production lower.

Oat production is projected to fall 32.9 per cent to 3.1 million tonnes. Harvested area is expected to decrease 14.2 per cent to 2.8 million acres and yields are expected to drop to 71.4 bushels per acre in 2021.

Corn production

Corn is the odd crop with a projected increase on higher yields.
Nationally, corn for grain production is projected to increase 0.8 per cent to 13.7 million tonnes in 2021. It is anticipated yields will rise to 158.4 bushels per acre.

The Sept. 14 report will use the same method as today’s information but will include data up to Aug. 31.

Final harvested area estimates will be published on Dec. 3 based on the November farmers survey.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW