Record Pea and Lentil Area in Canada

VANCOUVER - Jun 23/05 - SNS -- Canada's special crop growers planted their third largest crop in the industry's history this year and, in the process, devoted a record amount of land to lentil and field pea production.

Statistics Canada's survey of 29,200 farmers across the country between May 16 and June 3 found they planted 7.64 million acres of specialty crops this year, down from last year's record 7.78 million acres, but above the March seeding intention of 7.329 million acres.

Interestingly, there was a wide increase in seeded area versus the March intentions. Plantings of lentils, peas, beans, chickpeas and canaryseed rising above the intentions; while mustard, sunflower and buckwheat dropped

Debate over the actual numbers will occur, based on the needs of individual market participants and the fact seeding remains incomplete in Manitoba and parts of Saskatchewan. At the same time, localized flooding will result in some reseeding. However, it should be noted some reseeding takes place nearly every year.

Commenting on the situation, Statistics Canada said, "Soil moisture levels during the survey period were generally good in the West. However, there was excess moisture in southern Manitoba that delayed the completion of seeding. Farmers in the southeastern areas of Manitoba reported having seeded only between 50% to 60% of their crops, whereas most of the other areas of the province were 80% to 90% completed.

"The rain has persisted into mid-June resulting in standing water in fields that has limited seeding and threatened the viability of sprouted plants. As a result, acreages reported are likely what farmers hoped to plant if conditions improved and the likelihood of changes in seeded area of some crops is quite probable in the next survey, which will be conducted during the last half of July and the beginning of August."

Most industry participants believe specialty crops were largely seeded and that acreages for grains and oilseeds will suffer more adjustments in future crop reports.

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