Canada: Record Soybean Harvested Area

USDA forecasts 2013/14 Canada soybean production at 5.15 million metric tons, up nearly 4.5 percent from previous year. Area is forecast at a record 1.8 million hectares, up 7.8 percent from previous year. The nearly 8 percent increase in area harvested is due to good prices, short-season varieties, and a western expansion of area seeded into Manitoba and Saskatchewan. However, yield is forecast at trend levels and down nearly 3 percent from 2012.

Satellite-derived vegetation analysis using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) normalized difference vegetation indices (NDVI) show the crop at average crop vigor. Crop conditions throughout this growing season have been variable. Wet and cold conditions delayed planting. Below normal temperatures slowed crop development until later part of August. Warmer temperatures in later August and September accelerated crop development. Harvest has begun on some short-season varieties and is expected to commence in the later part of October. Most fields are past the point where a freeze will impact the crop.
The major producers of soybean are Ontario which produces 55 percent of total production followed by Manitoba 23 percent and Quebec 15 percent.

Visit Crop Explorer - http://www.pecad.fas.usda.gov/cropexplorer

Current USDA area and production estimates for grains and other agricultural commodities are available on IPAD's Agricultural Production page or at PSD Online.