Despite the seemingly bad conditions for seeding winter wheat last fall, Statistics Canada reports that acreage in 2005 has increased dramatically to 750,000 acres across the prairie provinces.
That represents the biggest winter wheat crop since the mid-1980s, when prairie farmers seeded 1.1 million acres.
In 2005, Manitoba farmers led the way sowing 330,000 acres.
Jake Davidson, executive manager of Winter Cereals Canada, said much of the Manitoba acreage can be attributed to excess moisture last spring.
“Throughout much of this province, we had fields that simply could not be seeded to spring crops,” Davidson said.
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“It was impossible. A lot of those fields were seeded to winter wheat in August, and they got an excellent start. They looked very good going into winter.”
In Saskatchewan, where growers seeded 300,000 acres, wet spring conditions may also have affected seeding decisions.
But Riceton producer Lee Moats said a larger factor is that Saskatchewan farmers are becoming more aware of the economic advantages of winter wheat.
“More producers are looking at the lower input costs, more efficient use of their machinery and time, and the risk reduction when you have some fields seeded before winter arrives,” Moats said.
Alberta winter wheat acreage totalled 120,000 acres last fall.
That is down from the peaks of 150,000 acres or more in 2003 and 2004, but it is still above the long-term average for Alberta.
Davidson, who farms at Minnedosa, Man., said the markets for winter wheat will benefit from the expansion of the ethanol industry.
“Once the new ethanol plants are up and running, they’re going to consume a tremendous volume of winter wheat,” he said.
“The acreage increase we’re seeing now is more than a short-term spike. This upward trend is market driven and it’s bound to continue.”
Davidson, who took over as WCC executive manager in December, said one of his main priorities will be the registration of new varieties with higher yield potential.
“We have a number of new winter wheat varieties that any farmer can put into the ground and easily get 90 bushels to the acre,” he said.
“But they aren’t registered and they aren’t allowed into the system because of the identity problem. Our growers need these high yielding varieties. This is the top priority.”
WCC has recently moved its head office to Minnedosa, Man.
The organization’s phone number is 204-874-2257.
