Canada: Barley crop registers year-on-year decrease

The Canadian Federal Agency diminished the forecast figures for the barley crop in 2005. In comparison with 2004, western Canadian farmers grow more durum wheat, canola and flaxseed; but less spring wheat ,dry peas and barley.

"A later than normal harvest and diminishing grain quality are becoming important issues for Prairie grain farmers," Statistics Canada said. "In Quebec and Ontario, generally hot and dry weather with spotty rainfall, especially in southern Ontario, served to stunt crops and reduce farmers' production expectations for corn and soybeans.

"In the West, farmers reported continued strong production estimates in the face of a prolonged period of unsettled weather so far this fall. Cool and wet conditions serve to hinder the development of late seeded crops and slow or delay the harvest with the strong potential to reduce quality again in 2005. A long wait in the field could be detrimental to overall crop quality."

11 October, 2005