More Clarity in N.A. Beans

VANCOUVER - Apr 25/14 - SNS -- How many edible beans might be available from North American farmers became a little clearer with the release of Statistics Canada's seeding intentions estimates for 2014.

It is important to understand that intentions are not the same as what will actually be planted, with the result it is misguided to dismiss seeding intentions as wrong. The seeding intentions survey is the only chance farmers have to let markets know what they are actually thinking. This can be strikingly different than what companies think farmers have in mind for their land.

During the past five years, actual plantings ranged between 5% less and 22% higher than the seeding intentions for lentils; from 11% lower to 13% higher for peas; between 29% less and 64% higher for chickpeas; and from 24% lower to 18% higher than the seeding intentions for dry edible beans.

In western Canada, sensing how many pulses farmers will plant is complicated by the ongoing expansion of soybeans in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. For the sixth year in a row, Manitoba farmers intend to plant more soybeans the previous year. This year's intended area is 1.3 million acres, up from 1.05 million last year and 800,000 in 2012. Saskatchewan's farmers hope to seed 300,000 acres this year, up from 170,000 last year and 50,000 in 2012.