OTTAWA — Statistics Canada on Dec. 3 forecast 2009 production of all wheat in Canada at 26,514,600 tonnes, up 8% from its previous forecast but down 7% from 28,611,100 tonnes in 2008.

"Drought in many western areas during the germination period and excess moisture in eastern regions held back crop development," Statistics Canada said in its Estimate of Principal Field Crops report. "Throughout the summer, cool conditions held back crop growth, leading to harvest delays in many areas. However, late-season sunny and dry weather allowed most crops to reach maturity, with a substantial improvement in yield for most major grains compared with the mid-harvest survey results reported in September 2009."

The latest report was based on a survey of about 27,900 farmers taken Oct. 23 to Nov. 16.

Canadian spring wheat production was forecast at 18,120,000 tonnes, up 9% from September but down about 2% from 18,404,900 tonnes in 2008. Winter wheat outturn was forecast at 2,995,000 tonnes, up slightly from September but down 36% from 4,686,900 tonnes last year.

Durum production in Canada was forecast at 5,399,600 tonnes, up 7% from the September forecast but down 2% from 5,519,300 tonnes in 2008.

The 2009 barley crop was forecast at 9,517,200 tonnes, up 4% from September but down 19% from 11,781,400 tonnes in 2008.

This year’s oats crop was forecast at 2,798,200 tonnes, down about 4% from the previous forecast and down 35% from 4,272,600 tonnes in 2008.

Corn production was forecast at 9,561,200 tonnes, down 2% from September and down 10% from 2008.

Statistics Canada forecast canola production at 11,825,400 tonnes, up 15% from September but down about 7% from 12,642,900 tonnes a year ago.

Flaxseed outturn was forecast at 930,100 tonnes, down 4% from the prior forecast but up 8% from last year.

Canadian soybean production was forecast at 3,503,700 tonnes, down 3% from September but up 5% from 2008.

Dry edible bean production was seen at 220,200 tonnes, up 4% from September but down 17% from last year. Dry field pea outturn was forecast at 3,379,400 tonnes, up 7% from September but down 5% from last year.