Canada Markets

When producers were polled on their concerns surrounding the use of glyphosate and the growing list of court challenges against the product, responses were consistent in DTN's unscientific polls conducted in the U.S. as well in Canada. As seen on the attached graphic, 43% of Canadian responses indicated their concern over the growing list of court challenges against the product, while an additional 35% indicated that they were possibly concerned, given that you cannot always count on the courts to make the right decision. A further 22% of responses shared a more optimistic view in that the science will prevail to result in the right decisions.

Perhaps by no coincidence, these responses were consistent with results of the same poll carried on our DTN U.S. sites. The U.S. poll results indicated that 46% of respondents showed concern, while 31% may be concerned and 18% were confident that the science will support industry views surrounding the safety of this product. A further 5% of U.S. respondents were either undecided or not following this issue, while the Canadian poll shows no responses in these categories.

Another recent poll was directed at Canadian row crop producers. Wet weather in recent weeks in the U.S. Midwest has stirred early speculation the corn planting efforts this spring may be challenged and potentially lead to a shift to more soybeans planted. Given the bearish nature of the North American soybean market and the need to trim acres to achieve a more manageable level of stocks, Canadian producers were asked if the current situation would lead to changes in seeded-acre plans for the upcoming spring.

One-third of responses indicated that fewer acres would be dedicated to oilseeds (canola and soybeans), given the bearish nature of North American oilseeds. An additional 23% of responses indicated that the current situation will have no effect on acres planted and that the respondents will stick to their original plan. A further 11% indicated that they would do just the opposite by planting more corn acres while dedicating fewer acres to soybeans, and a final one-third of responses indicated that this issue does not affect their operations.

In light of the ongoing dispute with China over Canadian canola, a recent poll asked readers to share their thoughts on how long this situation may last. Responses varied across the five choices listed, while the largest responses were shown for a period of six months to a year (27% of responses), while a further 27% of responses expect that this situation will drag on for more than one year. A further 18% of respondents feel that the situation will be resolved within three to six months, while the same percentage of responses indicated that they don't know. The last choice, pointing to the most optimistic of responses, was selected by 10% of responses indicating that the trade impasse would be overcome in less than three months.

The Canola Council of Canada is set to host a webinar on this subject on at 2 p.m., CDT on April 18. You can register at www.canolacouncil.org/news-homepage/canola-china----what-growers-should-know/. On April 24, Statistics Canada will release its first look at producer seeding intentions.

DTN thanks all respondents for their participation in past weekly polls and looks forward to reader feedback in the future.

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DTN 360 Poll

This week's poll asks how you view prospects for spring seeding. Please share your thoughts on this poll, found on the lower-right side of your DTN Canada Home Page.

Cliff Jamieson can be reached at cliff.jamieson@dtn.com

Follow him on Twitter @Cliff Jamieson

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