OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA — Production of all wheat in Canada was forecast down 14.5% from 2009, while canola outturn was expected to drop 8%, Statistics Canada said Aug. 20 in its Estimate of Production of Principal Field Crops report.

Based on data collected from July 26 to Aug. 3, Statistics Canada forecast lower production of wheat, canola, barley, oats and flaxseed but higher production of corn and soybeans than in 2009. Summerfallow acreage was the highest since 1999 in the Prairie provinces.

Total Canadian wheat production was forecast at 22,659,000 tonnes, down 14.5% from 26,514,600 tonnes in 2009, including spring wheat at 16,966,300 tonnes, down 6% from 18,120,000 tonnes, durum at 3,121,600 tonnes, down 42% from 5,399,600 tonnes, and winter wheat at 2,571,100 tonnes, down 14% from 2,995,000 tonnes a year ago.

Statistics Canada forecast 2010 canola production at 10,867,100 tonnes, down 8% from 11,825,400 tonnes in 2009.

Oats production was forecast at 2,392,200 tonnes, down 14.5% from 2,798,200 tonnes in 2009 and down 44% from 4,273,000 tonnes in 2008.

The 2010 barley crop was forecast at 8,488,000 tonnes, down 11% from 9,517,200 tonnes a year ago.

Flaxseed production was forecast at 570,300 tonnes, down 39% from 930,100 tonnes in 2009.

Corn production was forecast at 10,822,900 tonnes, up 13% from 9,561,200 tonnes in 2009.

Soybean outturn was forecast at 3,951,200 tonnes, up 13% from 3,506,800 tonnes last year

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