Crop production hit by dry weather in the east, wet weather in the west

Rain in the Prairies and dry weather in the east is expected to hurt crop production overall this year but the wheat harvest may exceed 30 million tonnes for the second time in 25 years, Statistics Canada forecasts after surveying farmers in July.

The agency says production of corn for grain is expected to dropalmost nine per cent from last year to 12.3 million tonnes asOntario, the largest producer in the country, has been hit bydrought in many areas.

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Ontario also leads the way in soybean production, but due tolower yields and a smaller planted crop,overall production isexpected to be down by 6.5 per cent this year.

On the Prairies, farmers made big bets on lentils this year dueto strong prices, with a nearly 37 per cent increase in harvestedarea leading to what should be a record crop of 3.2 million tonnes.

But significant rainfall in Saskatchewan in July contributed to a4.2 per cent drop in yields, and with rain continuing into August,Statistics Canada says yields could drop further.

Wheat production, which is somewhat less susceptible to moisturethan lentils, is on track for a 10.5 per cent increase from lastyear despite fewer hectares planted.

Total wheat production is expected to reach about 30.5milliontonnesin2016, onlythe second time to surpass 30 milliontonnes in25years along with 2013's bumper crop.

Statistics Canada says wheat production is expected to come in atover 30 million tonnes for only the second time in 25 years, asyields increased 14.3 per cent.

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