Bumper soybean crops

Monday, October 4, 2010

by KRISTIAN PARTINGTON

A Statistics Canada field crops report released this morning confirms what Ontario’s agricultural specialists have witnessed in the fields this year. Near perfect conditions for plant growth in most regions of the province produced bumper crops — especially in soybeans.

“It doesn’t get any better when you’re trying to produce plants – heat and moisture together,” said Horst Bohner, a soybean specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Bohner says 30 to 60 per cent of 2.4 million acres of soybeans planted this year have been harvested, depending on the area. In some regions where rainfall wasn’t as high, yields range from 30- to 40-bushels per acre. Other regions, notably southwestern Ontario, are reporting yields up to 60-bushels per acre. Overall, “it’s been an outstanding year, probably the best in my memory,” Bohner said. The five year provincial average is 40.6-bushels per acre.

Anecdotal reports for corns and edible beans have been “variable, but good” and Bohner expects above average numbers in some other areas of production. “I think the corn is going to be more variable . . . than soybeans,” he adds.

According to the Statistics Canada Report, Ontario soybean production could reach 2.8 million metric tones, up 8.1 per cent over 2009 yields, while Quebec and Manitoba producers may each see increases near 25 per cent. Final production estimates for 2010 will be released by Statistics Canada in December.

The report is based on a survey of more than 14,000 Canadian farmers from across the country conducted September 1-9, 2010. BF