| | Agri-Food Statistics Update - Issue No. CR09-3 - October 8, 2009
Collected from a variety of sources, the Statistics and Data Development Branch monitors statistical indicators of agri-food activity for Alberta. The Agri-Food Statistics Update is designed to provide users with commentary on current issues, trends and new developments related to agriculture and the food and beverage processing industries. Up-to-date statistics are supplemented with informative charts and diagrams. To gauge Alberta’s performance, comparative data and information are often available for Canada and the provinces.
September Estimate of Production of Principal Field Crops, Alberta, 2009
On October 2, Statistics Canada released its report entitled “September Estimate of Production of Principal Field Crops, Canada, 2009”. The Alberta estimates were generated from a Statistics Canada survey of 2,702 farms in the province, during the period from September 1 to September 9, 2009.
Based on the September estimate, total production of principal field crops in Alberta in 2009 is projected at 14.2 million tonnes, or 11 per cent below the 10-year average. It is also 29 per cent lower than in 2008, which was a record year for crop production. The decline in production is attributed to lower yields and a smaller harvested area, both resulting from unfavorable crop growing conditions. Provincial average yields for most major crops this year are projected to be significantly lower than in 2008, and their 10-year averages. In many areas, crops with poor yield potentials are being salvaged for forage production, reducing the total acreage for grain harvest.
The production estimates for 2009 field crops reflect yield potentials at the time the survey was conducted, and are subject to revision. The September estimate is the second of three production estimates planned by Statistics Canada. The November estimate, which contains the third and final crop production statistics for the year, will be released on December 3, 2009.
2009 Crop Production, Alberta
On October 2, 2009, Statistics Canada released its report entitled “September Estimate of Production of Principal Field Crops, Canada, 2009”. The Alberta estimates contained in the report were generated from a survey conducted during the period from September 1 to September 9, 2009. Based on the report, total production of principal field crops in the province in 2009 is projected at 14.2 million tonnes, or 11 per cent below the 10-year average. It is also 29 per cent lower than in 2008, which was a record year for crop production. The decline in production is attributed to lower yields and a smaller harvested area, both resulting from unfavorable crop growing conditions. Provincial average yields for most major crops this year are projected to be significantly lower than in 2008, and their 10-year averages. Total seeded area for principal field crops in the province is virtually unchanged from last year, while total harvested area could decline ten per cent. The smaller harvested area is mainly due to some crops with poor yield potentials being salvaged for forage production. Just to caution, the September estimate is still preliminary, as it is the second of three production estimates planned by Statistics Canada. The November estimate, which contains the third and final crop production statistics for the year, will be released on December 3, 2009.
With respect to specific crops, total production of spring wheat is projected at 5.5 million tonnes this year, or 25 per cent lower than in 2008, and eight per cent below the 10-year average. This is mainly as a result of lower yields, as total harvested acreage declined slightly. The provincial average yield is expected to be 36.4 bushels per acre, down 23 per cent from 2008, while harvested area could decline three per cent, to 5.5 million acres. For durum wheat, production is estimated at 983,000 tonnes, or nine per cent lower than in 2008. This stems from lower yields, as the harvested area is expected to remain flat, compared to a year ago. Regarding yield, the provincial average is projected at 39.2 bushels per acre, down nine per cent from 2008. Overall, total production of all wheat could decline 24 per cent, to 6.7 million tonnes.
In 2009, total barley production is projected at 3.7 million tonnes, down 32 per cent from last year, and 25 per cent below the 10-year average. The significant drop in production can be attributed to lower yields and a smaller harvested area. The provincial average yield for barley could decline 16 per cent from last year, to 56.2 bushels per acre, while the harvested area is expected to fall 19 per cent. Due to lower yields and decline in harvested acreage, total production of oats is projected at 334,000 tonnes, or 38 per cent lower than in 2008, and 51 per cent below the 10-year average. The provincial average yield could decline 12 per cent, to 61.9 bushels per acre, and the harvested area is expected to drop 30 per cent.
Total canola production in Alberta could decline 36 per cent from 2008, to 2.8 million tonnes, as both yields and harvested area are expected to be down significantly. Regarding yield, the provincial average is projected at 27.0 bushels per acre, or 27 per cent lower than in 2008. The total harvested area could fall 12 per cent, to 4.5 million acres. Also, total production of dry peas in 2009 is expected to be down 18 per cent from last year, to 600,000 tonnes. The provincial average yield is projected at 29.8 bushels per acre, or 22 per cent lower than in 2008, while the harvested area could increase six per cent, to a record 740,000 acres.
Shown in Figure 1 are the 2009 projections of Canadian production for selected grains and oilseeds, which are all down significantly from last year, due to reduced yields and smaller harvested areas.
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