OTTAWA – Saskatchewan producers are expected to seed less wheat and canola in 2014 but a record level of soybeans is expected to be planted.
Statistics Canada reported the spring seeding forecasts for principle field crops on Thursday.
The agency said planting intentions for farmers in the province indicate spring wheat acreage will fall to 8.6 million acres this year, down 9.2 per cent from 2013.
Durum seeding is also expected to fall 1.5 per cent to 4.8 million acres.
Canola seeding intentions are also down, with an anticipated drop of 1.9 per cent to 10.3 million acres.
Saskatchewan accounts for 52 per cent of the national intended seeding for canola.
A record soybean crop is expected to be planted in Saskatchewan, keeping in line with an increase in national intentions with a record 5.3 million acres expected to be planted across the country.
Intentions are also up in Saskatchewan for dry field peas, with 2.7 million acres expected to be seeded, an increase of 19.6 per cent from 2013.
The March farm survey took place between the 24th and 31st, with farmers asked to report their intentions for grain, oilseeds and special crops.
StatsCan cautioned farmers may modify their plans prior to seeding and said some producers were still undecided about their strategies at the time of the survey.
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