Canadian Corn, Soy Stocks Tighter as of March 31

May 07, 2024

Canadian stocks of both corn and soybeans were lower as of March 31, even as production of both crops was higher in 2023.

A Statistics Canada grain stocks report Tuesday showed total nationwide corn stockpiles as of the end of March at 8.267 million tonnes, down almost 9% from a year earlier but still above the March 31, 2022, stocks level of 8.147 million.

National soy stocks came in at 2.046 million tonnes, down 0.9% from March 31, 2023, but still up from 1.888 million two years ago.

Canadian corn output in 2023 amounted to 15.076 million tonnes, up about 3.7% on the year, while soybean production increased 6.6% to 6.981 million.

Today’s report implies corn usage between December 2023 and March 2024 at 3.03 million tonnes, up from 2.78 million during the same period a year earlier. For soybeans, December-March usage of 1.68 million tonnes was above 1.42 million the previous year.

StatsCan also noted that Canadian imports of corn were up 62.4% to 1.8 million tonnes as of March 31, 2024, compared with the same date in 2023, “likely because of increased demand for corn for grain as animal feed in Western Canada.”

National on-farm stocks of corn as of March 31 decreased 6.9% to 5.3 million tonnes, while commercial stocks fell 12.3% to 2.96 million tonnes compared with the same date in 2023.

Both on-farm stocks (-0.9% to 1.2 million tonnes) and commercial stocks (-0.9% to 893 000 tonnes) of soybeans decreased compared with the same period one year earlier.

In the largest production province of Ontario, on-farm corn stocks as of March 31 were reported at 2.695 million tonnes, down from 3.2 million a year earlier and the lowest since March 2012 at 2.5 million. At 515,000 tonnes, on-farm soybean stocks in the province were down from 619,000 on March 31 2023 and the tightest since March 2017 at 415,000.

In Manitoba, on-farm stocks of corn hit 800,000 tonnes, up from 636,000 last year and a new high. On-farm soy stocks fell to 257,000 tonnes from 300,000 a year ago but were still up from 120,000 on March 31, 2022.

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Video: How a Desire to Lead Brought This Wheat Breeder to Canada

Gurcharn Singh Brar is a wheat breeder whose path meandered from the breadbaskets of Punjab, India, to the sprawling fields of the Prairies. In a candid conversation, Brar shared insights into his journey, the challenges faced, and the undying passion that fuels his quest for better crops.

It all began with a childhood rooted in the wheat fields of Punjab, where agriculture isn’t just a livelihood but a way of life. His fascination with wheat and its potential led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences at Punjab Agricultural University. It was during this time that he encountered the spectre of rust diseases, particularly stripe rust, which plagued the region’s wheat crops. Determined to combat this menace, he set his sights on a journey that would take him across continents.

Venturing abroad for his graduate studies, he found himself in Saskatchewan at the Crop Development Centre (CDC), working under the mentorship of renowned researchers like Randy Kutcher and Pierre Hucl. Here, he delved deep into the world of wheat genetics, focusing on stripe rust resistance — a quest that would shape his academic pursuits for years to come.

After completing his master’s and Ph.D. in six and a half years, he embarked on a professional journey that would see him traverse academia and research. From brief stints as a research officer to landing his dream faculty position at the University of British Columbia’s Plant Science program, his career trajectory was marked by a strong drive to make a difference in the world of wheat.

Despite the allure of British Columbia’s unique agricultural landscape, he found himself wanting to return to the vast expanses of the Prairies, where wheat reigns supreme. He recently returned to the Prairies and is the new wheat breeder at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.

“The opportunity to lead an established wheat breeding program at the University of Alberta was a dream come true. With the necessary resources and infrastructure in place, I’m excited to drive innovation and develop high-yielding wheat varieties tailored to the unique conditions of northern Canada,” he says.

Brar, one of Seed World Canada‘s 2024 Next-Gen Leaders, has become known for identifying novel sources of resistance to priority diseases and his efforts in developing wheat germplasm with multiple disease-resistant traits.

In addition to his groundbreaking research, Brar is committed to mentoring the next generation of agricultural scientists.

“I believe in nurturing talent and empowering students to pursue their passions,” he says. “Watching my students grow and thrive in their research endeavours is hugely rewarding.”

As he looks ahead, Brar’s vision for the future of wheat breeding is clear: “My number one target is to develop high-yielding wheat varieties adapted to the northern climates of Canada. By focusing on early maturity and strong straw traits, we can maximize yield potential while ensuring resilience to environmental challenges.”

His decision to also join the Prairie Recommending Committee for Wheat, Rye, and Triticale (PGDC) executive as member-at-large came from a desire to play an even more important role in the world of Canadian cereals.