CALGARY, Alta. — U.S. corn imports into Western Canada hit an all-time high this year, mainly due to devastating droughts across the Canadian Prairies.

During September and October, the U.S. trucked up more than 227,000 tonnes of American corn — nearly triple the amount that was imported to the region during the same period last year.

An Agriculture Canada analyst says another driving factor is the fact that Canadian wheat was of a very good quality this year, so it is more likely to be sold for human consumption, creating more need for livestock feed.

While much of the country suffered drought conditions requiring the need to look south for grain and corn, Manitoba faced a different challenge. Excess moisture was a problem in some areas as well as a condition called fusarium headblight.