Manitoba Oat Production Drops In 2021

It was a tough year for Manitoba's oat crop.

Jenneth Johanson is president of the Prairie Oat Growers Association (POGA).

"We're hearing reports of production being down about 30 to 35 per cent throughout the province, compared to the last five years," she said. "There has been some variability in test weights and thins, there's been some higher incidences of thins. Due to the drought, there were some areas, like the Interlake, that were severely impacted. Well above the 35 per cent reduction in production."

One positive is the high price for oats that we're seeing on the markets.

"There were some producers that managed to take advantage of the higher commodity prices on a portion of their production," noted Johanson. "In those instances, perhaps the impact of the drought won't be as devastating. The ones that will really hurt are the ones that couldn't fulfill their contracts in full. Those producers are unfortunately going to have some challenges."

Johanson says prices for other commodities are also high, which will create a lot of competition for oat acres in 2022.