August Plantings Not Final Word

VANCOUVER - Aug 20/10 - SNS -- Statistics Canada's August crop report is not normally the final word on how many acres were planted each year.

During the past three years, lentil acreage was understated by an average 5%; while the final pea area averaged 2% more than shown in August; beans and canaryseed were nearly identical to the final area; mustard seed averaged 2% too high; and chickpeas were, on average, 24% too high in August.

One reason is that for most crops which are only tracked on a provincial level, Statistics Canada does not normally adjust acreage until the final crop report of the season. However, because such a large percentage of the intended acreage was not planted by the time the seeded area survey was completed -- the August report became the seeded area estimates and the June report a revised seeding intentions.

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here