MarketsFarm – Following variable conditions over the first few weeks of the growing season, there has now been a marked improvement over the last, according to Carl Potts, executive director of Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SaskPulse).
Potts said while western parts of the province had little precipitation and eastern parts saw seeding delayed due to above-normal rainfall, conditions have since become ideal in most areas.
“(It’s a) much different story than last year. We are getting some precipitation overall, while last year at this time, it was very dry and very hot,” he said.
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Potts anticipates a rise in seeded lentil acres this year, along with a decline in seeded dry pea acres. Statistics Canada predicted in its March 2022 principal field crops report an increase of more than 200,000 lentil acres in Saskatchewan to four million, while dry pea acres in the province would decline by more than 200,000 to 1.8 million.
Despite both crops having higher prices than last year, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire, the potential for higher production this year has led to price declines over the past month.
“Demand continues to be quite strong,” Potts said. “We have high prices for many of these crops…(High food prices) can soften demand a bit, but we’re dealing with staple food products in many countries. We continue to have strong import demand and we also have continued strong demand for domestic progressing for peas and other products as the demand for pulse ingredients continue to increase.
“(We’re) dealing with very low levels of carryout from last year because of the short crop. We’re continuing to have generally tight expectations on supplies for this year, which is keeping prices at good levels for growers.”
However, the extremes in weather found on opposite ends of Saskatchewan are still having detrimental effects on this year’s pulse crops.
“We can see some issues related to root disease or foliar disease. It continues to be a challenge in terms of managing those production issues as we go throughout the season,” Potts added. “Dryness in some areas could potentially reduce yields, especially after last year with depleted subsoil moisture in some areas. We’re certainly watching for that in western areas of the province, but overall, I think we’re seeing good moisture conditions in many areas.”
Potts is also hoping that the weather, yields and production can be described by one word this year: normal.
“I think after last year, we’re hoping for a more normal amount of precipitation and a more normal heat situation overall,” he said. “With high input prices for farmers, we’ve been wanting to make sure that we can produce an average to above-average crop. Hopefully, growers can produce a good crop and capitalize on those stronger market prices that are out there.”
