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Cdn soybean production reaches sixth consecutive record high
Dec. 4, 2014 - 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 per cent lower than in 2013. Both harvested area (-9.4 per cent) and average yield (-13.9 per cent) 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 per cent from a record 18 million tonnes in 2013. This was the result of a 14 per cent drop in average yield, from 40 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 per cent to 7.6 million tonnes, while average yield was down 14.1 per cent to 32.3 bushels per acre.
In Alberta, a 14.2 per cent decrease in yield led to an 8.5 per cent decrease in production to 5.5 million tonnes, since harvested area rose 6.7 per cent from 2013 to 2014.
Manitoba farmers reported canola production of 2.3 million tonnes, down 19.4 per cent from 2013. This decline was mainly the result of a 15.1 per cent decrease in yield to 34.8 bushels per acre.
Soybeans
Canadian farmers reported another record soybean production in 2014, up 12.9 per cent from 2013 to 6 million tonnes. Harvested area increased 20.2 per cent to 5.5 million acres, more than offsetting a 6.1 per cent decline in average yield.
Ontario soybean production rose 17.1 per cent from 2013 to 3.8 million tonnes, surpassing the previous record set in 2012, while average yield (-0.9 per cent) was marginally lower compared with 2013.
In Manitoba, soybean production reached a new record of 1.1 million tonnes, up 3.7 per cent from 2013. This was the result of a 20.6 per cent increase in harvested area, as yield decreased 14.1 per cent from 2013 to 32.3 bushels per acre.
In Quebec, production of soybeans rose 6 per cent to a record 898,000 tonnes. This gain occurred despite an 11.6 per cent decrease in yield, as harvested area was up 20 per cent.
Corn for grain
Canadian corn for grain production was down 19.1 per cent to 11.5 million tonnes. This was the result of a 17.1 per cent decline in harvested area, combined with a 2.4 per cent decrease in average yield to 149.2 bushels per acre.
In Ontario, production of corn for grain fell 15.6 per cent to 7.6 million tonnes. This decline was attributable to a 15.8 per cent decrease in harvested area, as average yield (+0.2 per cent) was virtually unchanged from 2013.
Corn for grain production in Quebec decreased 19.8 per cent to 3 million tonnes, as a result of declines in both harvested area (-13.9 per cent) and average yield (-6.9 per cent).
Barley and oats
At the national level, farmers reported barley production of 7.1 million tonnes, down 30.5 per cent from 2013. This was the result of decreases in both harvested area (-19.5 per cent) and average yield (-13.7 per cent).
Oat production totalled 2.9 million tonnes nationally, a 25.6 per cent decrease from 2013. This was the result of declines in harvested area, down 18 per cent to 2.3 million acres, and in yield, which fell 9.2 per cent to 83.6 bushels per acre.
December 4, 2014 By Statistics Canada
