Imports of American corn into Western Canada are at an all-time high,
due largely to the limited supplies of other feed grains on the
Prairies this year.
During September and October, 227,000 tonnes of American corn were
shipped to Canadian buyers on the Prairies, according to Agriculture
Canada.
That was almost triple the 79,000 tonnes imported to the region during
the same period the year previous.
Dennis Jackson, an Agriculture Canada analyst, said the shortage of
feed grains in Western Canada is driving that trend.
Drought in Alberta and parts of Saskatchewan this year hampered crop
production.
Wheat quality in Canada was good this year so it is more likely to be
sold for human consumption than livestock feed.
In Manitoba, there were areas where excess moisture was a problem.
Fusarium headblight, which can make grains less suited for hog feed,
was also a concern in the province this year.
