Farmers indicated they intend to plan 24,766,000 acres of all wheat in 2014, down 5% from 26,015,000 acres as the final 2013 area, Stats Canada said. The 2014 number was above the average of trade expectations near 24.4 million acres.

Durum planted area was forecast at 4,835,000 acres, down 3% from 4,965,000 acres in 2013. The number also was above the trade average of 4.7 million acres. Area planted to spring wheat other than durum was forecast at 17,978,000 acres, down 6% from 19,043,000 acres in 2013. 

Winter wheat area seeded in 2013 for harvest in 2014 was estimated at 1,954,000 acres, down 3% from a year earlier.

Canola planted area is expected to be 19,801,000 acres, down 1% from 19,936,000 acres in 2013. The number was well below trade expectations that averaged 21.1 million acres.

Farmers indicated they intend to plant a record high area to soybeans, forecast at 5,264,000 acres, up 17% from 4,519,000 acres in 2013. The number was well above the trade average expectation of 4.8 million acres.

Flaxseed area was forecast at 1,715,000 acres, up 66% from 1,035,000 acres in 2013. The number was well above trade estimates that averaged 1.3 million acres.

Corn planted area was forecast at 3,369,000 acres, down 9% from 3,689,000 acres in 2013 and near trade expectations that averaged 3.4 million acres.

Oats planting intentions were 3,188,000 acres, up about 1% from 3,168,000 acres in 2013 and also near trade expectations of 3.2 million acres.

Barley plantings were seen at 6,311,000 acres, down 11% from 7,083,000 acres in 2013 and well below trade expectations of 6.7 million acres.

“Farmers may modify their plans prior to planting time, as some reported being undecided about their strategies for 2014,” Statistics Canada said. “Similar to 2013, many areas of the country are experiencing a longer winter than anticipated.” The data was collected from a survey of about 11,500 farmers conducted March 24-31, Statistics Canada said.