There have been a few minor adjustments to seeding plans here in the southeast due to China's decision to limit imports of Canadian canola. Marc Hutlet of Marc Hutlet seeds at Ste. Anne says his customers have generally stuck to their plans for canola acres but there is one exception.

"Acres that were committed to canola will get planted. I think what has happened though is that there were some intentions to put an extra piece of canola in the ground, in their rotation, this spring. That has probably fallen by the wayside."

Hutlet adds farmers have replaced those acres by things like oats, barley and grain corn. Furthermore, he says feed corn acres are also up due to shortage of animal feed.

"The last few years, because of the lack of rainfall, we've really depleted the feed supplies for dairy cows, beef cows, etc. There are a lot of situations where neighbours are growing some corn for the neighbour who is short of feed. We haven't seen that scenario for awhile. Stuff like that is generating a few more acres that way."

Hutlet says while farmers don't like interruptions once they start seeding, rain would be welcome.

"Any form of moisture right now is welcome. We have some pockets in the area that are extremely dry, reflective of last year. Kleefeld is dry, Ste. Agathe had less moisture last year too and it showed up in some of the results. I think deep down, everybody is hoping for that inch to come. And, we're pretty early yet, so that would be welcome."