The first U.S. canola production forecast for 2017 is 2.81 billion pounds, down 9 percent from the revised 2016 production of 3.09 billion pounds. If realized, this will be the third largest production on record for the United States. Area planted, at a record high 2.08 million acres, is down 4 percent from the June estimate but up 21 percent from last year. Canola farmers expect to harvest a record high 2.03 million acres, down 4 percent from June but up 20 percent from 2016. The October yield forecast, at 1,383 pounds per acre, is 441 pounds below last year’s record high yield and will be the lowest since 2007, if realized.
The yield in North Dakota, the largest canola-producing State, is forecast at 1,410 pounds per acre, down 430 pounds from last year’s yield. Planted area in North Dakota is estimated at 1.59 million acres, an increase of 9 percent from 2016. Planting of the canola crop in North Dakota was generally behind last year’s pace, but ahead of the 5-year average. Maturation of the crop followed that same pattern for the majority of the growing season and harvest was underway by early August. Harvest progress reached 95 percent complete by September 24, two percentage points ahead of last year and 4 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average.