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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.
September Estimate of Production of Principal Field Crops, Alberta, 2011
On October 4, 2011, Statistics Canada released its report entitled "September Estimates of Production of Principal Field Crops, Canada, 2011". The Alberta estimates were generated from a Statistics Canada survey of 2,695 farms in the province, during the period from September 1 to September 9, 2011.
Based on the Statistics Canada report, total production of principal field crops in Alberta in 2011 is projected at 19.2 million tonnes. If realized, this would be up 0.5 per cent from a year ago, and 19.3 per cent above the 10-year average (2001-2010). The higher production stems from an overall increase in seeded and harvested areas, along with relatively strong yields.
Overall, provincial average yields are projected to be above average. Just to caution, these estimates reflect yield potentials at the time the survey was conducted. Also, the warm, dry weather across the province has provided producers with the opportunity to make good harvest progress with normal to above average crop quality.
The September estimate is preliminary and is 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 6, 2011.
Total Alberta Crop Production Could Increase in 2011
On October 4, 2011, Statistics Canada released its report entitled "September Estimates of Production of Principal Field Crops, Canada, 2011". Based on the report, total 2011 production of principal field crops in Alberta could reach 19.2 million tonnes, or 0.5 per cent higher than last year, and 19.3 per cent above the 10-year average (see Table 1). Also, total seeded area and total harvested area of principal field crops in the province is estimated to be higher than in 2010. Provincial average yields are anticipated to be above their respective 10-year averages (see Table 2). Just to caution, these production estimates reflect yield potentials at the time the survey was conducted (September 1 to September 9, 2011). The warm, dry weather across the province has provided producers with the opportunity to make good harvest progress with normal to above average crop quality. This is the second of three crop production estimates. The November estimates, which contain the third and final crop production statistics for the year, is scheduled for release on December 6, 2011.
Production by Crop Type, Alberta
Total production of spring wheat could rise 2.0 per cent, to 7.6 million tonnes. The increase production stems from higher seeded and harvested areas, while average yield is expected to be slightly down at 46.3 bushels per acre. For durum wheat, production could increase by 46.8 per cent, to 619,200 tonnes. The marked improvement is the result of much higher seeded and harvested areas, expected to be up by 45.8 per cent and 48.6 per cent, respectively. The provincial average yield is projected at 43.8 bushels per acre, down 1.1 per cent from a year ago, but still above the 10-year average. Winter wheat production could decline to 223,200 tonnes, but remains above the 10-year average. The decline in production is due to lower seeded and harvested areas, both down 8.6 per cent, along with a lower projected yield of 51.3 bushels per acre. Overall, total production of all wheat could reach 8.5 million tonnes, an increase of 3.7 per cent over 2010, and 21.6 per cent above the 10-year average.
Total barley production is expected to be 4.6 million tonnes, up 1.3 per cent from 2010. The provincial average yield is projected at 68.0 bushels per acre, or 2.1 per cent higher than in 2010, and is above the 10-year average. Seeded and harvested areas are expected to fall 1.9 per cent and 0.8 per cent, respectively.
Total oat production is projected at 609,200 tonnes, down 5.9 per cent from 2010, due to a reduction in seeded and harvested area. The provincial average yield is projected at 79.0 bushels per acre, a 0.3 per cent decline from 2010, but still above the 10-year average.
Total canola production could rise 0.7 per cent from 2010, to a record 4.8 million tonnes. The gain stems from increased seeded and harvested areas, estimated at 6.2 million acres and 5.9 million acres, respectively, both record highs. The provincial average yield is projected at 35.5 bushels per acre, a 6.6 per cent decline from 2010, and is 10.6 per cent above the 10-year average.
Total production of dry peas is expected to fall by 27.1 per cent, to 715,800 tonnes from the record of 982,500 tonnes set in 2010. The marked decline is driven by lower seeded and harvested areas, down 24.1 per cent and 27.0 per cent, respectively. The provincial average yield is projected at 39.0 bushels per acre, unchanged from 2010, and 14.0 per cent above the 10-year average.
A complete copy of the update is available as a pdf file Agri-Food Statistics Update - Issue No: CR11-3 |
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