Canadian Crop Outlook - Wheat and Durum Forecast

Apr 08, 2024

By: Farms.com

Here are some insights into Canadian wheat and durum crops from Statistics Canada.

In Canada, the 2023-24 durum production faced a significant decline due to persistent dryness in the southwest Prairies, resulting in a 30% decrease compared to the previous year. Despite lower production, crop quality remains high, with most crops graded in the top two tiers.

However, tight carry-in stocks further constrain total supply, leading to a 37% decrease in exports. The world durum market also experiences a decrease in production and supply, tightening global stocks.

On the other hand, Canadian wheat production (excluding durum) slightly decreased by 2% despite an increase in seeded area. The crop quality is excellent, with most of the crop grading in the top two tiers.

However, tight carry-in stocks limit total supply, while exports witness a steady increase. Globally, wheat supply expands, driven by higher production in several countries, including Russia and Ukraine.

Looking ahead to 2024-25, the forecast predicts a slight increase in durum production in Canada, with improved yields. However, exports are expected to remain below average levels due to increased competition.

For wheat, the area seeded is forecasted to decline, influenced by lower prices and global supply abundance. Nonetheless, total production and supply are projected to increase slightly, with exports constrained by global market dynamics.

While challenges persist in Canadian crop production, such as weather variability and market competition, opportunities for growth and resilience also emerge. By closely monitoring market trends and adopting sustainable farming practices, Canada aims to navigate the complexities of the agricultural landscape and secure a prosperous future for its farmers and stakeholders.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.