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2017 strong year for canola and soybeans in Saskatchewan

Dec 7, 2017 | 1:00 PM

Saskatchewan farmers increased production of canola and soybeans in 2017, but saw a decrease in wheat production compared to 2016, according to a new report from Statistics Canada.

Total wheat production in Saskatchewan declined 11.3 percent to 12.9 million tonnes. According to the report, the drop was due to a 10.8 percent decrease in average yield to 42.2 bushels per acre. The total harvested area was also down 0.8 per cent to 11.2 million acres in 2017.

On the other hand, 2017 proved to be a good year for canola growers in Saskatchewan.

Farmers reported a 4.7 per cent increase in canola production from 2016 to a record high 11.2 million tonnes in 2017. This, according to Statistics Canada, was the result of a record harvested area of 12.7 million acres; however average yield fell 8.3 per cent to 38.9 bushels per acre.