WINNIPEG, July 4 (CNS Canada) – An increase in Canadian lentil acreage this year comes as a blessing in disguise as wet conditions threaten some crops, worrying producers.
Farmers in parts of the prairies increased lentil seedings by 48 percent, covering a record 5.8 million acres this year, according to Statistics Canada.
While an increase in lentils was expected, the excess of moisture in some areas was not, said Greg Simpson, chief executive of Simpson Seeds in Moose Jaw, Sask.
“We’ve gone from an El Niño type weather situation to a La Niña, which implies going from a warm, dry season like we had last year to a cool, wet season like we’re experiencing,” Simpson said. “That’s not good for lentils.”
The surplus of moisture increases the chance of disease, and in some cases can kill the crop entirely, said Simpson.
“Lentils can only stand in water for less than 24 hours until they basically die,” Simpson said.
If rain continues into harvest season, Simpson said, quality problems could arise.
“Lentils are something that’s consumed in a way that we need a No. 2 or better quality. We don’t want to be producing four million tonnes of number three’s, that wouldn’t be a good situation,” Simpson said.
So far, excess moisture and wet spots are only taking hold of southern areas of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Simpson said, adding his lentil crops in Moose Jaw don’t have any standing water.
“What’s going to help us be successful is that 5.8 million acres. Even if 20 percent of that land base is extremely wet…the rest of the growing area should produce a very good crop,” Simpson said.
