Plant 2025 is well underway across the prairies and generally ahead of the seasonal averages.
Canada's Outlook for Principal Field Crops came out yesterday.
Some of the highlights for the 2025-26 growing season:
According to the report production of Canadian durum is expected to drop 7 per cent from last year to 5.4 Million tonnes. Seeded area in Saskatchewan is expected to remain stable at 2.58 million hectares, with an average spot price forecast of $310 per tonne for #1 Canadian Western Amber Durum with 13 per cent protein. The report also notes we could see an impact on durum exports as Europe is looking at a larger crop.
Manitoba is expected to seed less barley, but more corn this year. Oat acreage is expected to increase in all prairie provinces to 1.2 million hectares (Mha), up 3 per cent year-over-year with production projected to hit 3.4 Mt.
No specific changes to seeded acreage are expected for Oilseed crops in the prairies with 8.8 million hectares expected to be seeded this year. Pulse crops - dry pea acres are estimated at 1.42 million hectares (Mha), up 9 per cent year-over-year. Saskatchewan is expected to account for 52 per cent of the dry pea area and Alberta 42 per cent. Saskatchewan is also expected to account for 86 per cent of the lentil acreage. While Manitoba will account for 54 per cent of the dry bean area, and Alberta 10 per cent.
According to AAFC's Outlook for Principal Field Crops overall commodity prices are projected to decrease for most field crops compared to the previous year, with exceptions for wheat (excluding durum), canola, flaxseed, dry beans, and mustard seed, which are expected to see price stability or gains.