LONDON, ON - Despite a growing season that featured extreme weather, Ontario farmers have produced the largest soybean and grain corn crops in the province's history.

The bumper harvests come in a year when prices for the two crops - traditionally the biggest cash crop earners for Ontario farmers - have been buoyed by severe drought conditions in the US Midwest.

Statistics Canada reported Wednesday that soybean production in Ontario reached a record 3.3 million tonnes, up 8.4% from last year.

The jump was due to a combination of increased yields and a record harvested area.

For corn, Ontario production was up 11.3% to a record 8.6 million tonnes. The production increase was mainly driven by a 10.5% increase in harvested area, a record 2.2 million acres.

Quebec farmers also reported record corn production.
On a national basis, Statistics Canada reported that wheat production was up 7.6% compared to 2011, while canola production fell 8.9%.