Productivity, or the measure of how efficiently inputs translate into outputs, is strong in Canada, but it has stalled recently, dropping to 1.3 per cent in the 2010s and projected to sink to 0.8 per cent through 2030. If Canada can reverse this decline, it could create $30 billion in farmer income in the next decade.

WHY IT MATTERS: Levels of productivity in Canada are decreasing. With some tweaks from producers, government and industry groups, that trend could be reversed.

FCC thought leadership manager Craig Klemmer said increased productivity comes either through reducing production costs or increasing output.

“The combination of that is going to mean more farm income,” he said.

“The idea is that over the next decade, we would have an additional $30 billion in farm income for … crop and livestock producers in Canada.”

This would average out to roughly $150,000 for the average-size Canadian farm, more or less depending on the size of the operation.

“It does mean real dollars into the pockets of producers, because they’re the ones that are going to have the lower cost of production, or they’re going to have increased output.”

Klemmer said there is no single strategy that will fit every operation. The report identifies three main pathways through which producers can boost productivity growth.

The first is improving technical efficiencies.

“That’s really very much around management, using data-driven decisions,” said Klemmer.

“Getting more information … from participating in producer events in the local area, getting education and challenging the standard or the norm of what you’re doing and applying some of those pieces onto your farm.”

It also involves having access to timely data.

The second key point is about capturing economies of scale and targeting investments that can enhance efficiency.

“This doesn’t necessarily mean bigger is better,” Klemmer said.

“It’s about buying the equipment that you need for the job that you’re planning to do, as well as for what works within your business plan.”

“If you’re going to be combining wheat and canola, for example, or if you’re going to be doing corn and soybeans, what is the combine that you require for the operation and (what is) the right-sized equipment? You don’t necessarily need the biggest one out there with all the bells and whistles that are going to use more fuel; cost more money.”

The third point is about fostering innovation and incorporating innovations to improve management decisions on the farm.

“Find efficiencies in your operation. Make it so that you can do more with what you have.”

“On that side of things, it’s really about being curious,” he said. “Seeing what’s out there, making decisions that are going to bring real returns to your operation.”

The report is presented as a call to action for producers, but Klemmer said the responsibility to increase productivity could also be shared by governments and industry groups.

“When it comes to management decisions, it’s about farmers being curious and working with other people in their area and learning about what’s out there,” Klemmer said.

“And then it’s on everybody to continue to invest in agriculture so we continue to find these things,” he said.

“When we look at things like improving management and improving information, it’s a whole value chain creating that.”

For those farms with less capital to invest in innovative technology or skilled and educated workers, as the FCC report recommends, Klemmer said there are still options to boost productivity.

“Having a good business plan so you can be informed about the decisions you’re making is a starting point.”

“There’s a lot of things out there that are free,” he said.

“When you go to the innovation farms, for example, or technology farms … those are often free to go to, and it’s just about being curious and putting the time in to learn about those.”

A key part of maximizing efficiency is knowing your own finances, knowing your operation and being realistic about expansion and transition planning.

Klemmer said this could be an opportunity not just for the agriculture sector, but for the Canadian economy as whole.

“Generating this additional income for farmers is also driving GDP growth for … all Canadians,” he said.

“The agriculture and food sector is a key and foundational part of the Canadian economy, and making these investments as a country, as an industry, to drive productivity growth, it’s not just going to benefit producers … it’s also going to really enhance and promote Canada and our overall economic opportunities.”

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The provincial harvest was virtually complete at 99 per cent, said Saskatchewan’s weekly crop report released on Oct. 30. This year’s crops were harvested later than usual due to rainfall throughout the growing season and uneven crop staging. Cool July temperatures slowed development, but crop staging evened out and prevented harvest delays. Pests like bertha armyworm, cabbage seedpod weevil and Richardsons ground squirrel also posed challenges in some regions.

All crop types in Saskatchewan yielded higher than their 10-year averages. Winter wheat crops yielded 44.1 bushels per acre and fall rye yielded 52.6 bu./ac. For spring cereal crops, oats had the biggest yield at 94.4 bu./ac., followed by barley at 70. Hard spring wheat was 51.5 bu./ac. and other spring wheat was 55.5. Durum yielded 39.4 bu./ac. and triticale yielded 25.3. Canary seed saw 1,354 pounds per acre, while field peas were at 40.8 bu./ac, lentils at 1,785.5 lbs./ac. and chickpeas yielded 1,716.2 lbs./ac. Oilseed crops were the last to come off, yielding 42.4 bu./ac. for canola, 39.6 for soybeans, 26.6 for flax and 880.1 lbs./ac. for mustard.

As of Oct. 20, mustard was 99 per cent combined, followed by 98 per cent for canola, 94 per cent for flax, 91 per cent for chickpeas and 87 per cent for soybeans.

Related: Large wheat supply pressures prices

Most crops graded in the top two quality categories, but some downgrading was reported due to dry conditions, pest activity and late-season rain. Canola quality was higher than the 10-year average as crops graded 86 per cent 1 Canada, 13 per cent 2 CAN and one per cent 3 CAN. For pulses, field peas graded 41 per cent 1 CAN, 52 per cent 2 CAN and seven per cent 3 CAN, while lentils graded 22 per cent 1 CAN, 59 per cent 2 CAN, 17 per cent 3 CAN and two per cent Sample.

Spring wheat was rated as 63 per cent 1 Canada Western, 29 per cent 2 CW, six per cent 3 CW and two per cent CW Feed, while barley was rated as 27 per cent malt, 60 per cent 1 CW and 13 per cent 2 CW and Sample.

Average silage yields in the province this year were 5.82 tons per acre, which is lower than the 6.37 tons/ac. reported last year. Provincially, dryland hay yields were 1.39 tons/ac. for alfalfa, 1.32 for brome hay, 1.19 for tame hay, 1.33 for baled forage and 2.14 for greenfeed. The first cut hay crop was rated as 11 per cent excellent, 63 per cent good, 22 per cent fair and four per cent poor. Producers who were able to do a second hay cut reported that 24 per cent was excellent, 47 per cent was good, 19 per cent was fair and 10 per cent was poor quality.

Cropland topsoil moisture was rated at four per cent surplus, 55 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and eight per cent very short. For hayland areas, topsoil moisture was three per cent surplus, 51 per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and 10 per cent very short. For pastures, topsoil moisture was two per cent surplus, 38 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and 15 per cent very short. Significant rainfall and snow are needed in the coming months to replenish soil moisture levels for next spring, especially in western regions.

Most pastures reflect the soil moisture ratings quite closely. Provincially, three per cent of pastures were in excellent condition, 29 per cent were good, 37 per cent were fair, 21 per cent were poor and 10 per cent were in very poor condition.

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The province’s agriculture department reported 99.4 per cent of Alberta’s major crops were combined as of Oct. 14, 3.1 points more than in the previous week, compared to the five-year average of 97 per cent and the 10-year average of 83 per cent. The northwest region’s harvest was 100 per cent complete, while the central region was at 98.9 per cent. All other regions were within one point of finishing operations.

The harvests for all major crops were either completion or less than a point away from completion, except for canola at 98.5 per cent.

Despite recent rain and snowfall in some areas, the added moisture wasn’t enough to improve fall-seeded crop quality provincewide. The northeast and northwest regions saw improvement from the past week, while the south region was steady and the central region declined. Crops in the south region were rated at 51 per cent good to excellent, compared to 26 per cent in the northwest, 16 per cent in the central region and 11 per cent in the northeast. There were no fall-seeded crops reported in the Peace region.

Provincially, surface moisture conditions were down slightly to 16 per cent good to excellent, below the five-year average of 40 per cent. Regionally, surface moisture conditions rated good to excellent were at 22 per cent in the south region, nine per cent in the central region, seven per cent in the northeast, 22 per cent in the northwest and 29 per cent in the Peace region.

Sub-surface moisture conditions rated good to excellent remained steady at 18 per cent, below the five-year average of 37 per cent. Regional good to excellent ratings for sub-surface soil moisture was at 23 per cent in the south, 13 per cent in the central, 10 per cent in the northeast, 19 per cent in the northwest and 30 per cent in the Peace region. Most parts of the province are entering winter with dry soil conditions and average or higher winter snowfall, as well as spring precipitation will be needed to replenish soil moisture and support crop and forage growth in the coming season.

Most producers had already begun moving cattle off pastures and feeding livestock at home. Provincial pastures with good to excellent growth conditions declined by two points to 15 per cent, below the five-year average of 29 per cent. Regional good to excellent pasture conditions were at 29 per cent in the south region, five per cent in the central region, one per cent in the northeast, 14 per cent in the northwest, and 27 per cent in the Peace region.

Provincially, forage reserves were rated at 10 per cent deficit, 19 per cent possible shortfall, 62 per cent adequate, and nine per cent surplus. The feed grain reserves were rated at three per cent deficit, nine per cent possible shortfall, 76 per cent adequate and 12 per cent surplus.

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The provincial harvest was 98 per cent complete as of Oct. 13, said the Saskatchewan government’s weekly crop report released on Oct. 16. The harvest might have been completed if rain and snow hadn’t fallen in some regions last weekend. The Strasbourg area in the south-central part of the province received the most precipitation at 52 millimetres.

All spring and winter cereal crops were combined, while canola was 98 per cent harvested and the mustard harvest was 95 per cent complete. Canary seed was 92 per cent finished, followed by chickpeas at 88 per cent, flax at 87 per cent and soybeans at 83 per cent.

Topsoil moisture for cropland was rated at seven per cent surplus, 53 per cent adequate, 30 per cent short and 10 per cent very short. For hayland areas, it was five per cent surplus, 49 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and 13 per cent very short. For pastures, topsoil moisture was three per cent surplus, 36 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 19 per cent very short.

The supply of hay was nine per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate and nine per cent short. Greenfeed was six per cent surplus, 89 per cent adequate and five per cent short. Silage was six per cent surplus, 92 per cent adequate and two per cent short. Straw was 14 per cent surplus, 78 per cent adequate and eight per cent short. Feed grain was 11 per cent surplus, 85 per cent adequate and four per cent short.

Wind, frost and snowfall caused minor amounts of damage to the crops remaining in the field, as well as wildlife and migratory birds feeding on crops and grain bags. Producers were spraying for weeds, applying fertilizer, harrowing fields and servicing equipment as the harvest nears its completion. Livestock producers were moving cattle home for winter, as well as hauling bales and marketing livestock.

The province will release its final crop report on Oct. 30.

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Manitoba crops were 93 per cent combined as of Oct. 13, six points more than the previous week, said the province’s weekly crop report released on Oct. 15. All regions saw at least 14 millimetres of precipitation while snow accumulated in parts of the northwest. The Pas received the most precipitation at 65.7 mm. Winds exceeding 60 kilometres per hour were also felt in most regions. Nevertheless, harvest progress in all regions ranged from 91 to 98 per cent.

The barley and oat harvests were 99 per cent complete, while canola and dry beans were 96 per cent finished. Soybeans were 90 per cent complete while potatoes were at 84 per cent. Silage corn and flax were at 77 and 76 per cent, respectively, while grain corn lagged at 42 per cent and sunflowers trailed all crops at 17 per cent.

Winter cereal planting is complete with most of them in the three-leaf stage. Spring wheat yields averaged 60 bushels per acre with some fields showing yields up to 90 bu./ac. Barley yields ranged from 65 to 110 bu./ac., while oats ranged from 110 to 130 bu./ac. However, wet harvest conditions have caused a loss of quality in spring cereals.

Canola yields averaged 45 bu./ac. in a range of 30 to 70 bu./ac. The field pea harvest yielded an average of 60 bu./ac. from a range of 30 to 75 bu./ac. The soybean harvest continued with yields between 30 to 55 bu./ac. Meanwhile, the sunflower harvest was delayed due to producers waiting for them to dry.

Producers with cereal silage and native/slough hay are fighting wet conditions to wrap up their harvests. Producers are also encouraged to use management practices to promote and maintain snow cover for insulating alfalfa crowns in the winter. Pastures are now dormant with livestock now feeding on stockpiled forages, crop residue and regrowth or supplemental feed.

Livestock operations have begun weaning, but rains caused muddy conditions in pastures and corrals. Most producers have acquired sufficient amounts of feed for the winter, while hay and straw bales were being moved to wintering areas. Manure was also being spread out onto fields.

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Manitoba’s harvest advanced by 14 points to 86 per cent complete, said the province’s weekly crop report. Spring wheat was 99 per cent finished while barley and oats were 98 per cent. The canola harvest moved up to 92 per cent done while dry beans were at 90 per cent and potatoes were at 84 per cent. The soybean and silage corn harvests were at 69 per cent finished, with corn for grain at eight per cent.

The central, eastern and Interlake regions received heavy precipitation and winds gusting to 80 kilometres per hour. Sprague Lake in the eastern region received the most rain at 70.7 millimetres. However, there were a handful of locations that received less than one mm. Precipitation accumulations since May 1 were below 60 per cent of normal in the Interlake and parts of the northwest, while parts of the southwest and central regions received more than 100 per cent.

Spring wheat yields averaged 60 bushels per acre, with some yields reported to be 70 to 90 bu./ac. Quality was mostly good, but fields with delayed harvest due to wet conditions saw their wheat downgraded to feed. Oat yields ranged from 110 to 130 bu./ac., while barley yields were 65 to 110. Most corn for grain reached maturity as harvest began.

Canola yields ranged from 30 to 70 bu./ac. with an average of 45. Both flax and sunflowers were desiccated with the latter in the R8 and R9 development stages. Soybean yields ranged from 30 to 55 bu./ac.

Corn silage harvests have begun with average to above-average yields reported in most areas.

Some pastures remain in very good condition but producers are already providing supplementary feed for livestock. Producers are also considering late cuts of alfalfa as weather permits, particularly in areas that received frost damage.

Cattle were in excellent condition and remain on fall grazing pastures, hayland and harvested crop fields. Producers have started weaning and cattle are heading into markets being sold at very good prices. Most producers secured winter feed, but those in very dry areas are sourcing feed from elsewhere. Manure is starting to be spread out onto fields.

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The province’s harvest was 68 per cent complete, Saskatchewan’s weekly crop report said on Sept. 25. This was compared to the five-year average of 83 per cent and the 10-year average of 72 per cent.

Harvest progress in the southwest led all regions at 80 per cent complete, followed by the southeast at 70 per cent, the northwest at 69 per cent, the west-central region at 65 per cent, the northeast at 61 per cent and the east-central region at 59 per cent.

While Saskatchewan’s winter wheat and fall rye harvest was finished, field peas were at 99 per cent completion and lentils were 96 per cent combined. Barley was at 86 per cent, durum at 78 per cent, spring wheat at 73 per cent and oats at 70 per cent. However, due to rains and high humidity, some yet-to-be-harvested cereal crops showed low quality and sprouting.

The mustard harvest was 62 per cent complete, followed by canola at 42 per cent, soybeans at 23 per cent and flax at 18 per cent.

The most rain fell in the Rhein area east of Yorkton at 44 millimetres during the week. Meanwhile, Carnduff and Blaine Lake saw 20 mm and the Calder area received 18 mm.

Cropland topsoil moisture was at two per cent surplus, 59 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Hayland topsoil conditions were three per cent surplus, 51 per cent adequate, 29 per cent short and 17 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil conditions were two per cent surplus, 40 per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and 22 per cent very short.

As for pastures, one per cent were in excellent condition, 31 per cent in good condition, 39 per cent in fair condition, 20 per cent in poor condition and nine per cent in very poor condition.

Most of the crop damage reported was caused by wind and dry conditions. There were also some reports of low-lying areas being lost to water accumulation. Waterfowl damage was more present this week as geese, cranes and other waterfowl moved across the province.

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The Manitoba harvest advanced six points at 56 per cent completed. Some of the progress was due to the start of the soybean and silage corn harvests. Soybean combining operations began in the central and eastern regions with three per cent finished. Meanwhile, the central and Interlake regions began taking silage corn off the ground, completing 12 per cent of the province’s harvest.

The spring wheat was 93 per cent complete, followed by barley at 89 per cent and oats at 84 per cent. Canola was 45 per cent combined.

While some areas received less than one millimetre of precipitation, Ethelbert in the northwest region saw 109.1 mm, which triggered a local state of emergency due to overland flooding and washed-out roads. All regions saw at least 37 mm during the week. Despite the rainfall, soil conditions were dry to very dry in large parts of the Interlake as well as in localized areas in other regions. Wet conditions were present in areas of the province’s other regions.

Spring wheat yields averaged 60 bu./ac. with some fields reported at 70 bu./ac. Oats yielded 110 to 130 bu./ac. and barley was at 65 to 110 bu./ac. Most corn was in the R5 (dent) stage.

Canola yields ranged from 26 to 60 bu./ac. with an average of 45. Flax was in the brown capsule stage and sunflowers ranged from the R8 to R9 growth stages with most being desiccated.

Dry beans were in the R7 and R8 growth stages and harvest has started in the earliest-seeded fields. Most soybeans were also in the R7 and R8 stages with much of their harvest to be completed in two weeks.

Moist and warm conditions aided fall grazing and pasture growth, but the rainfall has caused challenges in harvesting native hay and greenfeed. Manure spreading has started on some fields.

Producers have started weaning and marketing their calves, while cattle on pasture were in good condition despite some fly pressure. Pastures were in excellent condition with some producers in the Interlake and southwest supplementing out on pasture. Winter feed supplies were mixed across Manitoba as some producers look for more while others are selling surplus amounts.

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Using satellite imagery and agroclimate data, StasCan has shown crop conditions across the Prairies have been variable throughout the growing season. In some areas, lower-than-average precipitation and prolonged high temperatures resulted in below-average crop conditions at of the end of July, while parts of Western Canada that received sufficient precipitation saw above average crop conditions.

In Alberta, provincial reports indicated almost two-thirds of major crops were rated as being in good to excellent condition at the end of July, above the five-year average for the period of 53 per cent. Some areas lacked sufficient moisture and will likely impact yield.

In Saskatchewan, sufficient rainfall in some parts of the province resulted in normal crop development, while moisture stress attributed to dry conditions is reported to have resulted in some crops maturing ahead of normal. Parts of Manitoba received less than half the normal amount of precipitation throughout the growing season as of the end of July, and this — combined with high temperatures early in the growing season, may have impacted yields for some crops.

Wheat production is expected to decrease on lower yields

Nationally, wheat production is projected to edge down 1.1 per cent to 35.5 million tonnes in 2025/26, largely attributable to lower anticipated yields, which are expected to fall by 1.2 per cent to 49.6 bushels per acre. Harvested area is expected to remain steady, rising slightly to 26.3 million acres.

The decrease in expected total wheat production is largely attributable to spring wheat, which is anticipated to fall by two per cent to 26.0 million tonnes. The decrease is a result of lower projected harvested area, which is expected to fall by 1.5 per cent to 18.4 million acres, and lower yields, which are anticipated to fall a half per cent to 51.9 bu./ac.

Durum wheat yields are expected to fall 5.1 per cent to 35.1 bu./ac., offsetting higher harvested area, contributing to a decrease in durum wheat production to 6.1 million tonnes.

Wheat yields in Saskatchewan are expected to fall by 6.7 per cent to 41.8 bu./ac. in 2025/26, while harvested area is projected to drop to 13.8 million acres, resulting in a nine per cent decrease in production to 15.7 million tonnes.

Wheat production in Alberta is projected to climb by 12.5 per cent to 11.2 million tonnes in 2025, as a result of higher yields to 52.7 bu./ac. and harvested area of 7.8 million acres.

In Manitoba, wheat harvested area is expected to rise to 3.3 million acres, while yields are anticipated to decrease by 7.4 per cent to 60.6 bu./ac. Total wheat production is anticipated to fall by 6.2 per cent year-over-year to 5.4 million tonnes.

Higher yields are projected to push canola production up

Nationally, canola production is expected to increase by 3.6 per cent to 19.9 million tonnes in 2025/26. The anticipated increase in production was attributable to higher yields, which are expected to rise by 5.7 per cent to 41 bu./ac., offsetting lower harvested area, which is projected to decrease to 21.4 million acres.

Saskatchewan is expected to produce 5.9 per cent more canola in 2025, at 11.1 million tonnes. Yields are projected to increase by 5.1 per cent to 40.3 bu./ac., while harvested area is expected to edge up 0.8 per cent to 12.1 million acres.

Canola production in Alberta is expected to increase to 5.8 million tonnes. The anticipated rise is the result of higher yields to 41.5 bu./ac. mostly in the central part of the province, which received sufficient precipitation. Harvested area is expected to decrease to 6.1 million acres.

In Manitoba, yields are expected to increase by 8.2 per cent to 43.5 bushels per acre, while harvested area is anticipated to fall by 9.6 per cent to three million acres. As a result, production is expected to decrease to 2.9 million tonnes.

Farmers anticipate harvesting less barley and more oats

Nationally, farmers expect to produce less barley year over year to eight million tonnes in 2025/26, driven by lower harvested area, down 6.7 per cent to 5.5 million acres. Yields are projected to increase by 5.2 per cent to 66.5 bushels per acre. Alberta is expected to produce more barley, rising to 4.4 million tonnes because of higher yields to 69.4 bushels per acre.

In Saskatchewan, production is anticipated to decrease by 7.8 per cent to 2.8 million tonnes because of lower yields to 61.8 bu./ac. and harvested area to 2.1 million acres.

Corn for grain production is projected to increase on higher area

Nationally, corn for grain production is projected to increase to 15.6 million tonnes in 2025/26, with yields anticipated to fall to 165.9 bu./ac., while harvested area is expected to rise to 3.7 million acres. Drier-than-normal conditions in major corn-producing provinces, coupled with high temperatures, may have contributed to lower anticipated yields.

Manitoba corn production is anticipated to rise to a record 1.9 million tonnes by a whopping 10.3 per cent 2025. The expected increase in corn production was caused by higher harvested area to 596,600 acres. Yields are expected to fall by 7.8 per cent to 128.6 bu./ac., possibly because of dry conditions in the province.

Soybean production expected to decrease

Nationally, soybean production is projected to decrease by 7.3 per cent year-over-year to seven million tonnes in 2025/26 on lower yields to 45 bu./ac.. Harvested area is anticipated to increase to 5.7 million acres.

In Manitoba, soybean production is projected to decrease by 5.3 per cent to 1.6 million tonnes in 2025. Harvested area is expected to increase by 15.6 per cent to 1.6 million acres, though yields are anticipated to fall by 18 per cent year over year to 36.1 bu./ac. this year.

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Combining reached 29 per cent completion, the province’s weekly crop report said. The winter wheat and fall rye harvests were 99 per cent complete, while field peas were at 95 per cent. Barley and spring wheat were at 65 and 59 per cent, respectively, while oats were at 41 per cent. Canola was 10 per cent combined.

The most rainfall was recorded at Kane in the central region at 60.3 millimetres, with Dominion City in the east and Newdale in the southwest receiving 31.2 and 30.9 mm, respectively. Several areas across Manitoba received no rainfall.

Total precipitation accumulations this season were below 60 per cent compared to the 30-year average in the Interlake and parts of the Northwest and Eastern regions. Parts of the Southwest have accumulated higher than normal precipitation levels since May 1.

Spring wheat conditions ranged from 80 to 90 per cent good to excellent, while producing 50 to 60 bushels per acre. Winter wheat yields ranged from 50 to 80 bu./ac., while fall rye was at 60 to 110. Barley was at 60 to 70 bu./ac., while oats were at 100 to 150. Most corn was in the R5 (dent) stage of growth.

Canola yields were from 45 to 60 bu./ac. as swathing and desiccation were ongoing. Flax was in the brown capsule stage and most sunflowers have completed flowering. Avian Control, a bird repellent, received emergency registration in sunflowers to reduce damage by blackbirds. However, the treatment, which can be applied up to the day of harvest, can cause damage such as leaf discolouration.

Field pea yields ranged from 30 to 75 bu./ac., averaging approximately 60 bu./ac. Dry beans were in the R7 and R8 stages, while most soybeans were in the R5 and R6 stages.

Warm weather and improved moisture conditions in some areas allowed pastures to regrow, providing extra grazing days for livestock. Second cut harvest yields for beef producers were below-average and dairies were on their third cut, which were seeing higher yields than the second cut. Slough hay and straw yields appeared to be average. Silage corn harvest is set to begin in two weeks as most corn were in the dent stage.

Cattle on pasture were in good condition while producers monitor for foot rot, fly pressure and pneumonia. Water levels were mixed, causing some producers to move cattle or haul water. Winter feed supplies were also mixed with some producers sourcing additional feed and others with a surplus selling their own.

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