Multi-factor productivity growth in Saskatchewan crops

Abstract

This study provides ex ante estimates of multi factor productivity (MFP) growth in the Saskatchewan agricultural sector on a crop by crop basis, using a time series of partial budgets from representative crop planning Guide. The study considers six major crops in Saskatchewan: spring wheat, durum wheat, feed barley, feed peas, large green lentils and canola. MFP growth is compared across crops, soil zones and cropping systems. Over the 1993-2013 period all six crops MFP grew at rates of over 2.56% per year. Feed peas and canola showed the fastest growth rates of 4.68% and 4.01%, respectively. The MFP growth of crops seeded on summer-fallow was slower than crops seeded into stubble using conventional tillage and zero tillage. The best soil zone for durum wheat and lentils, in term of productivity growth, was the Brown Soil zone; while for peas and canola, it is the Dark Brown Soil zone. Spring wheat and barley grown in different soil zones had very similar productivity gains.