Statistics Canada estimates total Canadian canola production at 20.3 million metric tonnes, compared to 21.3 million in 2017.
The decline was due to lower harvested area and yields, particularly in Alberta. High temperatures, lower precipitation and harvest snowfall in some areas affected crop quality and yield.
Saskatchewan canola production was 10.9 million tonnes, a decline of 254,000 tonnes. Average yields were one percent higher at 39.3 bushels an acre. That was more than offset by a 500,000 acre decline in harvested area to 12.2 million acres.
Canadian wheat production was six percent higher due to a larger harvested area. Farmers report producing 31.8 million tonnes of wheat with average yields of 47.8 bushels an acre. The average wheat yield was down by nearly two bushels per acre due to drier summer conditions over much of the Prairies.
Saskatchewan wheat yields were 0.8 bushels an acre lower at 41.8 bushels. Harvested wheat area in our province was up 14 percent. Alberta recorded a 5.5 percent decrease in wheat yields with Manitoba showing a small decline.
The following is a recap of yields and production for other crops grown in Saskatchewan. Comparisons made are between the 2017 and 2018 crops.
Lentils—Average yield decreased 2.1 percent to 1,270 pounds per acre. Total harvested area fell 15.8 percent to 3.3 million acres. Production was down 17.5 percent to 1.9 million tonnes.
Peas—Overall production was down 9.8 percent to 1.8 million tonnes. Harvested area declined 11.4 percent to 1.9 million acres. Average yield increased 2.1 percent to 34.5 bushels an acre.
Barley—Production increased 9.7 percent to 3.4 million tonnes. Average yield was 5.6 percent lower at 62.7 bushels per acre. Harvested area jumped 16.2 percent to 2.5 million acres.
Oats—The average oat yield was unchanged at 90.8 bushels an acre, while harvested area was down 15.1 percent at 1.2 million acres. This lead to a reduction in oats production to 1.7 million tonnes.
Flax—Production fell to 404,200 tonnes, down 9.7 percent. Area was 20 percent lower at 710,400 acres. Average yields climbed 13.1 percent to 22.4 bushels an acre.
Soybeans—There was a substantial decrease in soybean area, down 52.1 percent from the record set in 2017. Average yield was one percent higher at 21 bushels an acre. Soybean production was 231,800 tonnes.
Mustard—Mustard output rose 42.5 percent to 134,700 tonnes. It was a combination of increased area and higher yields. Mustard acres were up 27.8 percent to 364,300, while average yield jumped 11.6 percent to 815 pounds per acre.
Canary seed—Production fell 27 percent to 105,800 tonnes. Average yield was one percent lower at 1,242 pounds per acre. Harvested area was 187,900 acres, down 26.3 percent.
These estimates comes from a survey of 7,334 Saskatchewan farmers conducted from October 5 to November 13.
You can check out the national production numbers for each crop at:
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/181206/t001b-eng.htm