Quality of western Canadian wheat 2008

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Summary

Poor soil moisture conditions in the southern half of the growing region in Western Canada presented the largest threat to crop production during the early spring of 2008. The early spring season was characterized by very cool temperatures which delayed planting in the south and slowed the snowmelt in the northern growing areas. Cool soil temperatures delayed crop germination and early seeded regions reported poor crop emergence. Precipitation during June was close to normal or above normal in most of the Prairie region, which helped boost crop prospects. Temperatures during the month of May and June were significantly below normal, which delayed crop development. By the end of June, growth was 10 days to two weeks behind normal, but the crop condition was rated as mostly good to excellent. In July, moderate temperatures were reported resulting in little stress to the developing plants. Above normal temperatures in August across the Prairies helped boost crop development, however, frost was reported in parts of Alberta and western Saskatchewan with some crop damage occurring.

The spring wheat harvest was underway in the southern Prairies by the third week of August. Persistent rains in the last week in August and the first ten days of September slowed the harvest. Temperatures remained mild during September, with many areas reporting their first fall frost one to two weeks later than normal, allowing late developing crops to mature without significant quality damage. Drier, warmer conditions returned to the entire Prairie region during the mid-September to mid-October period, which allowed for a rapid completion of the harvest.

Spring wheat production levels were 18.0 million tonnes as reported by Statistics Canada [1], a dramatic increase of approximately 24% over last year. Durum wheat production is estimated at 5.5 million tonnes, an increase of 1.9 million tonnes over 2007.

Overall protein content of Canada Western Red Spring wheat, at 13.4%, is 0.7% lower than last year. High grade Canada Western Red Spring wheat shows higher test weight, larger seed size, similar wheat falling number, higher starch damage, significantly higher absorption and slightly weaker farinograph dough properties relative to last year. Extensograph exhibits strength lower than last year. Alveograph exhibits less extensibility, but similar overall strength to last year and the 10 year average. Overall protein content of Canada Western Amber Durum wheat is 0.9% lower this year at 13.2%. High grade Canada Western Amber Durum wheat shows good falling number values indicative of sound kernel characteristics, semolina yield slightly higher than last year and improved gluten strength relative to the long term average.

Methodology used to obtain quality data is described in a separate report available on the Canadian Grain Commission web site.

[1] Statistics Canada, Field Crop Reporting Series, Vol. 87, No. 8, Nov. 2008.

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