Pulse weekly outlook: Saskatchewan pulses dealing with dryness
Saskatchewan pulses dealing with dryness
| 2 min read
As much as 50 per cent of India’s dal crop was damaged this year due to waterlogging. Photo: iStock/Getty Images
MarketsFarm – Seeding went well across the province thanks to hot and dry temperatures following a cool spring, said Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SaskPulse) executive director Carl Potts. However, the dry conditions are still cause for concern.
“A later-than-normal start, but we wrapped up seeding within that normal window that growers typically do,” Potts said. “(It was) dry coming out of last year, dry across the province in many areas. That is still a concern at this particular point. There have been rains in some areas, but dryness is still a concern as we move forward.”
There have been reports of grasshoppers in parts of central and southwestern Saskatchewan, Potts added, but he said it’s too early to know how much of a problem insects will pose to pulse crops.
Smoke is drifting into Saskatchewan from wildfires in Alberta, which has caused air quality warnings. Potts was unsure what effect it would have on pulses. While he claimed that the wildfires near Fort McMurray, Alta. in 2016 helped moderate temperatures and increase yields, Potts said this year’s early summer wildfire activity leaves many unknowns.
“This is much earlier in May and in June. I’m not certain that (the smoke) would have any impact, particularly if it subsides quite soon,” he added.
Pea and lentil areas are expected to decline by five to 10 per cent, while the seeded area for chickpeas is projected to grow by 10 per cent, according to Potts. Statistics Canada releases their survey-based acreage estimates on June 28.
Laird, Eston and Richlea lentil prices in Western Canada have risen over the past month, while those for crimsons have come down, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire. Green and yellow pea prices have remained steady over that time, while monthly price movement for Kabuli chickpeas has ranged from a gain of one cent to a loss of three cents per pound.
“In terms of markets overall, we have slower movement and a little bit of weakness in prices lately,” he said.
Potts is hoping for rain, especially in southern Saskatchewan, saying it would go a long way towards healthy crop conditions.
“That’s something we’re looking forward to and I hope it comes to fruition,” he added.
— Adam Peleshaty reports for MarketsFarm from Stonewall, Man.
