Based on data collected from Oct. 25 to Nov. 12, and compared with year-ago production, Statistics Canada forecast lower outturn of canola, barley, oats and flaxseed but higher production of corn and soybeans.
Total Canadian wheat production was forecast at 23,167,000 tonnes, up 4% from October but down 14% from 26,848,000 tonnes in 2009, including spring wheat at 17,485,000 tonnes, up 6% from October but down 5% from 18,452,000 tonnes in 2009, durum at 3,025,000 tonnes, down 1% from October and down 44% from 5,400,000 tonnes last year, and winter wheat at 2,657,000 tonnes, down slightly from October and down 11% from 2,996,000 tonnes a year ago.
“Farmers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan reported problems with poor grain quality, the result of a slow and wet initial harvest and early frost damage,” Statistics Canada said.
Wheat production declined 21% from 2009 in Manitoba and 26% in Saskatchewan but increased 10% in Alberta.
Statistics Canada forecast 2010 canola production at 11,866,000 tonnes, up 14% from the previous forecast but down 4% from 12,417,000 tonnes in 2009.
Oats production was forecast at 2,298,000 tonnes, down 1% from October and down 21% from 2,906,000 tonnes in 2009.
The 2010 barley crop was forecast at 7,605,000 tonnes, down 8% from October and down 20% from 9,517,000 tonnes a year ago.
Flaxseed production was forecast at 423,000 tonnes, down 21% from October and down 54.5% from 930,000 tonnes in 2009.
Corn production was forecast at 11,715,000 tonnes, up 8% from the prior forecast and up 22.5% from 9,561,000 tonnes in 2009.
Soybean outturn was forecast at 4,345,000 tonnes, up 8% from October and up 24% from 3,507,000 tonnes last year.