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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.
Please visit the following website for a complete listing of Agri-Food Statistics Update releases:
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sdd5270
Note to Users: The contents of this document may not be used or reproduced without properly accrediting Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Economics and Competitiveness Division, Statistics and Data Development Branch.
On October 4, 2010, Statistics Canada released its report entitled “September Estimates of Production of Principal Field Crops, Canada, 2010”. The Alberta estimates were generated from a Statistics Canada survey of 2,698 farms in the province, during the period from September 1 to September 9, 2010.
Based on the Statistics Canada report, total production of principal field crops in Alberta in 2010 is projected at 18.2 million tonnes. If realized, this would be 15 per cent higher than in 2009 and the 10-year average (2000-2009). Higher yield projections and an increase in the total harvested area are the factors behind the increase. In general, crop growing conditions in the province this year have been mainly favourable. The exception is the Peace Region, where dry conditions persisted through much of the crop season. As well, there were some crops lost due to flooding, mainly in the Southern Region.
Provincial average yields for most crops are projected to be higher than in 2009, and their 10-year averages. Just to caution, the production estimates reflect yield potentials at the time the survey was conducted and are subject to change. Also, mainly due to the cool, damp weather in September, harvest progress this year is markedly behind normal, with the exception of the Peace Region. The delayed harvest is likely to have some impact on the estimates.
The September estimates are the second of three production estimates planned by Statistics Canada. The November estimates, which contain the third and final crop production statistics for the year, is scheduled for release on December 3, 2010.
Total Crop Production Increases in Alberta in 2010
On October 4, 2010, Statistics Canada released its report entitled “September Estimates of Production of Principal Field Crops, Canada, 2010”. Based on the report, total production of principal field crops in Alberta for 2010 is projected at 18.2 million tonnes, 15 per cent higher than in 2009 and the 10-year average (see Table 1). The increase is due to a combination of higher yields and more harvested acres (see Table 2). Crop growing conditions in the province this year have been mainly favorable, despite the dry conditions in the Peace Region and excessive moisture in some other areas of Alberta. Provincial average yields are mostly projected to be higher than in 2009, and their 10-year averages. Just to caution, the production estimates reflect yield potentials at the time the survey was conducted (September 1-9, 2010), and are subject to change. Also, it is worth mentioning that due to the cool, damp weather in September, harvest progress this year is markedly behind normal, with the exception of the Peace Region. The delayed harvest is likely to have some impact on the estimates. Regarding crop acreage, total seeded area of principal field crops in the province is estimated to be relatively unchanged from 2009, while the harvested area is expected to be up by four per cent.
2010 Production by Crop Type, Alberta
Total production of spring wheat in 2010 could increase 13 per cent, to nearly seven million tonnes. The higher production stems from improved yields, and to a lesser extent, a projected increase in harvested area. The provincial average yield is projected at 44.7 bushels per acre, up nine per cent from 2009, while the harvested area is expected to increase three per cent, to 5.7 million acres.
For durum wheat, production could decline 57 per cent, to 425,900 tonnes, driven by a 59 per cent reduction in harvested area. The provincial average yield is projected at 42.3 bushels per acre, up four per cent from 2009. Overall, total production of all wheat could reach 7.6 million tonnes, an increase of three per cent over 2009.
Total barley production is projected at 4.8 million tonnes, up 26 per cent from 2009. The provincial average yield for barley is projected at 67.5 bushels per acre, or 16 per cent higher than in 2009, while harvested area is expected to increase nine per cent.
Total oat production may double from last year, to 616,900 tonnes. This is as a result of higher yields and an increase in harvested acreage. The provincial average yield is projected at 76.9 bushels per acre, or 15 per cent higher than in 2009, while the harvested area is expected to be up 73 per cent.
Total canola production in Alberta could increase 16 per cent from 2009, to four million tonnes. This is attributed to a combination of higher yields and a larger harvested area. In 2010, seeded and harvested acreage are estimated to be 5.5 million acres and 5.4 million acres, respectively, both record highs. Regarding yield, the provincial average is projected at 32.8 bushels per acre, or five per cent above 2009.
Total production of dry peas is expected to increase 42 per cent, to a record 947,000 tonnes. Higher yields and a record harvested area are the reasons behind the increase. The provincial average yield is projected at 39.5 bushels per acre, or 21 per cent higher than in 2009, while harvested area could increase by 17 per cent.
2010 Crop Production, Canada
Unlike Alberta, the September estimates suggest that in 2010, production for most principal field crops in Canada could be down significantly from last year, mainly due to smaller harvested acreage.
Projections of 2010 Canadian production are 16.5 million tonnes for spring wheat, three million tonnes for durum, 8.3 million tonnes for barley, 2.3 million tonnes for oats, 10.4 million tonnes for canola, and 2.8 million tonnes for dry peas (see Figure 1).
A complete copy of the update is available as a pdf file Agri-Food Statistics Update - Issue No:CR10-3 |
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