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Except for flaxseed and soybeans, total stocks of major grain and oilseeds, including commercial and on-farm inventories, had declined as of March 31, 2007, compared with the same date last year, according to a survey of grain farmers and commercial grain holders.

However corn for grain, oilseeds and wheat excluding durum remained above the five-year average. 

Stocks of wheat tumble

Total stocks of wheat excluding durum amounted to an estimated 12.7 million tonnes, down from 13.5 million tonnes in March of 2006.  On-farm stocks alone were down 9.2% to 9.1 million tonnes, because of a strong export program and higher domestic milling demand, even though 2006-2007 wheat supplies were ample.

On-farm stocks were down in Saskatchewan and Alberta, but in Manitoba they rebounded from the very low level reported in 2006.  In all three provinces, stock levels were above the five-year average.

Total stocks of durum wheat tumbled 40.1% from the record set March 31, 2006. The decline was the result of a drop in production in 2006 and increases in grain exported that occurred despite logistical difficulties. The five-year average is 3.7 million tonnes.

On-farm durum stock amounts in the Prairie provinces tumbled to levels not seen since 2003.  Over 80% of durum farm stocks are held in Saskatchewan, where an estimated 1.7 million tonnes of stocks were reported, a drop of 1.6 million tonnes. 

Stocks of canola, barley, oats all on the decline

Total stocks of canola eased back from last year’s record to 4.3 million tonnes, which was a 16.4% decline from the March 2006 level, the equivalent of 839,000 tonnes.  Commercial stocks fell by 10.6% to 922,000 tonnes, and farm stocks were down 17.9 % to 3.4 million tonnes.  The five-year average for farm stocks is 2.5 million tonnes.

Production fell in 2006 from the record 2005 crop but still remained robust.  Strong exports and crushings were responsible for the decline in March 31 stocks over the same period in 2006.   Despite the decline, all on-farm stock levels for the three Prairie provinces remained well above the five-year average.  

Total stocks of barley dropped 29.8% from 6.5 million tonnes to 4.6 million tonnes as of March 31.  The five-year average is 5.7 million tonnes.

In the three Prairie provinces, total on-farm stocks of barley fell by 2.0 million tonnes.  Stocks of barley were below the five-year average for each province.  The largest percentage decline was in Saskatchewan, where stocks fell 46.4% to 1.3 million tonnes.

Total stocks of oats fell 21.3% to the five-year average of 1.5 million tonnes, the result of stable supply and increased exports.  All three Prairie provinces reported decreases, ranging from 22.7% in Manitoba to 28.3% in Alberta. 

Record stocks of grain corn in Ontario

In Ontario, on-farm stocks of corn for grain edged up 50,000 tonnes to a record 2.5 million tonnes, surpassing the record set in March 2006. 

On the other hand, Quebec farmers reported that they had less stocks of corn for grain at 1.4 million tonnes, a 25.3% decline from 2006.

Commercial stocks were up 4.8% to an estimated 1.4 million tonnes, well above the five-year average of 1.2 million tonnes.

Total stocks of soybeans a record

Total stocks of soybeans were a record 1.9 million tonnes, 15.0 % above the 1.7 million tonnes in storage on March 31, 2006 and the third consecutive record.  The five-year average is 1.2 million tonnes.

The record March 31 stocks were a direct result of record 2006-2007 supplies as export demand has been strong and domestic crushings have been stable compared to last year.

On-farm stock levels in Ontario and Quebec edged downward.  Soybean stocks were down 5.0% in Quebec to 190,000 tonnes and in Ontario, they were down 7.7% to 720,000 tonnes.  These declines were offset by commercial stocks that hit a record 870,000 tonnes, up 33.8% from March 2006.  The previous record was set in 1998 at 735,000 tonnes.

Flaxseed stocks highest in more than a decade

Total stocks of flaxseed were estimated at 736,000 tonnes, up 95,000 tonnes from March 2006. This is the largest volume of flaxseed reported in over 10 years. The five-year average is 407,000 tonnes, and the record of 881,000 tonnes was set in 1980. Commercial stocks were estimated at 186,000 tonnes up 90,000 tonnes.

A build-up of stocks that occurred in 2005-2006 continues to weigh on the market despite higher exports so far this crop year.

Farm stocks in Saskatchewan, where most flaxseed is grown, reached 390,000 tonnes, a decline of 11.4% or 50,000 tonnes from March 2006

Dry field pea stocks drop

Total stocks of peas tumbled 34.4% to 1.0 million tonnes, down 530,000 tonnes from the 1.5 million tonnes reported in March 2006.  Commercial stocks were also down, off 23.5% to 260,000 tonnes.  

A decline in 2006 production combined with an increase in domestic feeding allowed stocks to decline despite slow export movement.

In Saskatchewan, where the majority of dry field peas are grown, on-farm stocks declined 41.2% to 520,000 tonnes. The five-year average is 683,000 tonnes.