FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 10/00 - CANADA (15 September)
As of mid August the winter wheat harvest in Canada was well underway or nearing completion in some areas. Harvesting of the main spring crops got underway in late August. Warmer temperatures in July in the main wheat producing areas of Western Canada favoured crop development after generally wetter and colder than normal conditions in June. It is reported that there is potential for average to above-average yields in most of the major producing areas. Latest official reports forecast the total 2000 wheat production at 25.4 million tonnes. Coarse grain production is expected to change little this year, and is currently forecast at 27 million tonnes. Although barley output is forecast to increase, reflecting larger plantings, outputs of the other small coarse grains could decline somewhat. Early indications point to a smaller maize crop also, although the harvest is still some way off.