Oats in Canada

Oats currently are grown on over 1.3 million hectares in Canada for human consumption as well as fodder. In 2015-16, seeded area is projected at 1.25 million hectares and yield continues to remain near 3.0 tons per hectare (77.8 bushels per acre).

Oats are the top five crops in terms of are grown in British Columbia, Manitoba and New Brunswick. Manitoba and Saskatchewan in central Canada have the largest are grown to oats, with 40 percent being grown for human consumption.

The majority of Canadian oats are still used in the Canadian feed market. A large amount of the feed oats are produced and fed on farm, with a small amount moved to the Canadian racehorse market.

Although oats are being used in more quality specific markets, in years of ample supply, the North American feed market is still a significant factor in determining overall oat prices. The racehorses industry uses about 80-85 million bushels (1.3 million tons) of oat for feed and 90 percent originates from Canada.

Oats are cultivated mainly as a livestock feed and may be harvested unripe and fed either fresh or as silage. Oat grains are most commonly fed to livestock and may be physically processed by crushing or rolling. Typically, the best oats produced are fed to horses.

Performance oats, referred to by many as "pony oats", are high quality oats sold to premium horse feed markets. These oats normally are bought according to buyer specifications, but usually fit within the No. 1 grade specified by the Canadian Grain Commission. Buyer specifications require oats that are consistently plump, bright-colored and of heavy test weight.
Oats in Canada