From October 2020 to January 2021 this monitoring period covers the harvest of summer crops, including maize and soybean, as well as the sowing and early growth of winter wheat in Canada.

The situation of summer crops was reported in the last bulletin. For the winter crops, the agro-climatic conditions were slightly drier and warmer. Compared with the 15-year average, the rainfall and the radiation were 11% and 3% below the average respectively, while the temperature was above average (TEMP +1.3°C).  They resulted in a slight increase in potential biomass (BIOMSS +3%). Most of the winter wheat is grown in Ontario and in some patches of the plain area of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. According to the temperature profile, the temperatures dropped below 0°C starting in November and winter wheat went dormant.

According to the NDVI development graph, the crop conditions were slightly below average in October. Precipitation was near average during the planting period of winter wheat, which allowed the crop to germinate and get well established before going dormant. So far, conditions for winter wheat have been fair.

Regional analysis

The Prairies (area identified as 30 in the NDVI clustering map) and Saint Lawrence basin (26, covering Ontario and Quebec) are the major agricultural regions.

The Prairies is the main food production area in Canada. In this reporting period, the rainfall (RAIN -16%) and radiation (RADPAR -1%) were below average, while the temperature was above average (TEMP +1.4°C), leading to a slightly increased potential production (BIOMSS +6%). According to the NDVI development graph, the crop conditions trended slightly below average. Considering a decreased CALF by 12% and unfavorable VCIx of 0.67, the crop conditions in this season so far have been slightly unfavorable.

The Saint Lawrence basin is the main winter wheat production region. The conditions showed the same patterns as the Prairies.  The rainfall (RAIN -12%) and radiation (RADPAR -4%) were below average, while the temperature was above average (TEMP +1.4°C), leading to a slightly increased potential production (BIOMSS +1%). Agroclimatic conditions were average, as well as NDVI and VCIx. CALF was 98% and crop conditions were fair.

Figure 3.12 Canada’s crop condition October 2020 - January 2021

(a). Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI  (c) Maximum VCI

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA   (e) NDVI profiles

(f) Rainfall time series                                      (g) Temperature time series 

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Canadian Prairies region (left) and Saint Lawrence basin region (right))

Table 3.15. Canada’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, Oct 2020-January 2021

Table 3.16. Canada agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure, Oct 2020-January 2021