Manitoba farmers are in the midst of harvesting a possibly record large corn crop, and will likely be looking to plant another large crop next year, according to Morgan Cott, an agronomist with the Manitoba Corn Growers Association.
“We’re well into the corn harvest now,” said Cott, adding that the corn harvest was farthest along in south-central Manitoba. She estimated that it will likely take until early November for the corn harvest to be finished completely.
Early harvest reports were pointing to average yields overall, although lighter bushel weights were being seen in some cases.
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Total seedings failed to live up to expectations in the spring, due to adverse conditions at planting time in some areas. However, Manitoba still saw a record acreage base of corn to start the year at 350,000 acres, according to Statistics Canada data. The government agency is currently forecasting corn production in the province at 812,800 tonnes, which compares with the record 815,400 tonnes grown the previous year.
However, with the larger area and good early yield reports, the actual crop may still end up above the year ago level. Statistics Canada’s next production numbers will be released on December 4, after the harvest is complete.
From a pricing standpoint, Manitoba corn prices typically follow the US futures, which are currently trading at their lowest levels in three years. Even with the lower prices, Manitoba farmers should have still been profitable growing corn this past year, which will keep interest in the crop next spring, said Cott.
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