OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA — Canadian farmers in 2015 planted or will plant more acres of wheat, corn, flaxseed, barley and oats but fewer acres of canola and soybeans than in 2014, Statistics Canada said in its Principal Field Crop Areas report released June 30. Data reflected surveys of producers conducted from May 28 through June 11.
Farmers planted 24,142,000 total acres of wheat for harvest in 2015, down from March intentions of 24,765,000 acres. The all-wheat total acreage, a preliminary estimate, was up 1% from 23,835,000 acres as the final 2014 area, Statistics Canada said. The all wheat number was below average trade expectations near 24.6 million acres.
Durum planted area was estimated at 5,750,000 acres, up from 5,500,000 acres expected in March and up 21% from 4,750,000 acres in 2014.
Area planted to spring wheat other than durum was estimated at 17,145,000 acres, down from the March forecast of 18,004,000 acres and down 2% from 17,409,000 acres in 2014. Winter wheat area seeded in 2014 for harvest in 2015 was estimated at 1,247,000 acres, down from March intentions of 1,261,000 acres and down 26% from 1,675,000 acres a year earlier.
Canola planted area was estimated at 19,840,000 acres, up from March intentions of 19,416,000 but down 2% from 20,325,000 acres in 2014. The number was above trade expectations that averaged 19.4 million acres. Soybean planted area was estimated at 5,420,000 acres, up from 5,375,000 acres forecast in March but down 3% from the record high of 5,562,000 acres in 2014.
Flaxseed area was estimated at 1,690,000 acres, up from March intentions of 1.63 million acres and up 9% from 1,555,000 acres in 2014.
Corn planted area was estimated at 3,252,000 acres, down from 3,268,000 acres in March but up 6% from 3,078,000 acres in 2014. Oats planted area was estimated at 3,403,000 acres, down from March intentions of 3,645,000 acres but up 22% from 2,798,000 acres in 2014. Barley plantings were 6,511,000 acres, up from 6,478,000 acres in March and up 11% from 5,880,000 acres in 2014.