OTTAWA — Statistics Canada on Aug. 21 indicated Canadian farmers expect to harvest a record canola crop this year, and production increases from 2012 were forecast for wheat, barley and oats. Additionally, production of corn for grain was expected to set a record even as soybean production was forecast to decrease from 2012.

Statistics Canada, on the basis of a producer survey, forecast production of all classes of wheat to total 30,562,000 tonnes, up 13% from 27,063,000 tonnes in 2012 and compared with 25,118,000 tonnes in 2011. If the forecast is realized, the 2013 Canadian wheat crop would be the largest since 31,946,000 tonnes in 1991-92 and would compare with the recent five-year average outturn of 26,210,000 tonnes.

“This anticipated increase is a result of combined gains in harvested area, from 23.4 million acres in 2012 to 25.5 million acres in 2013, and in average yield, up 3.3% to 44 bus per acre,” Statistics Canada said in commentary accompanying the production forecast. Saskatchewan farmers anticipate a 14% increase in wheat production, and Alberta farmers expect to harvest a record 9.4 million tonnes as average yield in the province was forecast at a record 49.6 bus per acre, Statistics Canada said.

Spring wheat production (excluding durum) was forecast at 21,830,000 tonnes, up 17% from 18,720,000 tonnes in 2012 and compared with 17,866,000 tonnes in 2011. Winter wheat production was estimated at 3,615,000 tonnes, down 3% from 3,716,000 tonnes last year and compared with 3,080,000 tonnes in 2011. Durum production was forecast at 5,117,000 tonnes, up 11% from 4,627,000 tonnes in 2012 and compared with 4,172,000 tonnes in 2011.

Statistics Canada forecast canola production in 2013 at a record 14,735,000 tonnes, up 12% from 13,219,000 tonnes in 2012 and compared with 14,552,000 tonnes in 2011. Statistics Canada noted the increase in production from 2012 despite a decrease in harvested area was attributed to a forecast 22% rise in average yield to 33.7 bus per acre. Oats production in 2013 was forecast at 2,907,000 tonnes, up 12% from 2,599,000 tonnes in 2012 and compared with 3,040,000 tonnes in 2011.