November 2015 Estimate of Production of Principal Field Crops, Alberta

Agri-Food Statistics Update - Issue No.CR15-3
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.

Note to Users: The contents of this document may not be used or reproduced without properly accrediting Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Economics and Competitiveness Division, Statistics and Data Development Branch.

November 2015 Estimate of Production of Principal Field Crops, Alberta

On December 4, 2015, Statistics Canada released the November estimates of crop production for 2015.

Key Messages

The 2015 crop season in Alberta started with a dry spring followed by a hot summer with limited moisture which had an adverse impact on crop growth. However, as harvest progressed across the province yields were higher than what was expected earlier in the summer.
In 2015, total production of selected principal field crops (including forages) was estimated at 26.9 million tonnes, down 12.3 per cent from 2014, and 7.3 per cent below the 10-year average (2005-2014). Excluding forages, total production of major crops was 20.8 million tonnes, down 7.4 per cent from last year, and 2.7 per cent above the 10-year average.
Spring wheat production declined 13.4 per cent to 7.2 million tonnes, due to both lower yield and harvested area.
Barley production increased 3.8 per cent to 4.3 million tonnes due to higher yield and harvested area.
Despite an increase in yield, canola production fell 6.1 per cent to 5.4 million tonnes, due to a decline in harvested area.
Tame hay production fell by 31.5 per cent to 5.0 million tonnes in 2015. This is attributed to both lower yield and harvested area.

For a complete copy of this update, please download the attached .pdf.

For more information about the content of this document, contact Ashan Shooshtarian.
This document is maintained by Rita Splawinski.
This information published to the web on January 12, 2016.
Last Reviewed/Revised on January 29, 2018.