The report (can be accessed here) indicates a big swing into cereal grains and an increase in most oil seed crops.  If Weather permits this will be accomplished by a sizable drop in specialty crop acres (anywhere from 20 to 50% depending on the crop) in conjunction with a massive (6 mil acre plus) reduction in prairie summer fallow acres.  Western canola acres may hit a record high while pea acres will be the lowest in over 10 years.
Stats. Can. reported ‘dry coloured bean’ intentions nationally – down over 27%.  Industry sources from Ontario and internal indications put white bean acres in this province down by nearly 40%.
As with last year, intentions to plant are all well and good, however; weather does, will, and presently is playing a large role in letting farmers execute on those early intentions. 
Come July we will have a better handle on actual acres planted and a glimpse as to what production prospects might hold.  Meanwhile the bulls are running.

A joint letter from the Ontario Agri-Business Association (OABA) and the Ontario Bean Producers’ Marketing Board (OBPMB) went out to all growers  in this regard.

The full letter can be seen Joint letter OABA OBPMB to Producer April 2011