April 25, 2007

Canada expects record canola and corn acreage

Canadian farmers in the Prairie are expected to plant record area for canola and corn on "economic considerations," while decreasing flaxseed and spring wheat acreage, according to Statistics Canada (Stats Can).

Stats Can says the record corn acreage comes at the expense of soybeans as farmers attempt to meet steady demand from livestock feeders and surging need for renewable fuels.

The total planted area for wheat in 2007 is estimated at 23.759 million acres, down 10 percent from the 26.387 million planted in 2006. Spring wheat acreage is placed at 17.080 million acres or 15.8 percent less than the 20.273 million planted a year ago and below the five year average of 18.5 million acres. Stats Can states that the decreased planted area for wheat is in response to farmers switching to canola due to a higher profit margin. The planted area for durum is pegged at 4.950 million acres, an increase of 13.8 percent from the 4.350 million last year.

Corn, for grain, is expected to be planted on a record 3.511 million acres, 26 percent higher than the 2.786 million sown for 2006. Soybean acreage is pegged at 2.931 million acres or down 4.2 percent from the 3.059 million planted a year ago.

Canola acreage is seen at a record 14.831 million acres or 11.7 percent higher than 2006's 13.276 million, with the increase attributed to improved returns. Barley is pegged at 10.812 million bushels, up 13.3 percent from the 9.540 million planted a year ago. Oat acreage is expected to be 5.682 million acres, compared to 4.751 million last year, up 19.6 percent. Dry field pea planted area is seen at 3.565 million acres, a 2.3 percent increase from 2006's 3.485 million. Flaxseed is estimated at 1.430 million acres or down 31.3 percent from 2.080 million last year.