MarketsFarm — Experts predict corn acreage will be flat in Western Canada in 2019.
While flooding remains a concern to many this spring, years of dry summers have impacted soil conditions to the point where a wet spring may be a welcome reprieve.
“I’m more concerned about how much moisture we will have gained because of the dryness over the past few years,” said Morgan Cott, a field agronomist with the Manitoba Corn Growers Association.
“I suspect acreage will be flat or a little bit down, depending on soil moisture and what happens in the next few weeks,” she said.
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Dryness poised to threaten Saskatchewan crops
Crops in Saskatchewan are developing in opposite directions, the province’s latest crop report said. Growing conditions in the province vary, with some areas receiving enough rain while other locations are experiencing crop stress due to hot, dry conditions.
Due to corn’s prolonged growing season, farmers impacted by floodwaters may choose to use acres slated for corn to grow soybeans instead.
According to Manitoba’s most recent flood outlook, flooding levels may hit the same as what was seen in 2009. The Manitoba government will release flood updates beginning the week of April 8.
Saskatchewan is expecting very little flooding, following a drier-than-average 2018.
Cott noted that, despite weather challenges, corn acreage has held steady in years past.
“Nothing seems to make a huge dent in seeded acreage,” she remarked. “I do see it not being as high as last year.”
Manitoba farmers planted 421,000 acres of corn in 2018, and Saskatchewan 13,600.
— Marlo Glass writes for MarketsFarm, a Glacier FarmMedia division specializing in grain and commodity market analysis and reporting.
