Southeast Manitoba farmers to increase corn planting and reduce wheat in spring

Farmers in Manitoba’s prairies are changing their crop plans this year. Andrew James, a farmer in the RM of Springfield, said he will increase corn in his rotation to 25 percent and will not plant any wheat for the first time in six years. He and his brother, Matt, have not grown corn in the last two years and have never planted this much before.

James explained that low profit margins on wheat are a key reason for this change. In 2021, wheat sold for about $7 a bushel, but prices have not increased despite rising costs for fertilizer and seeds. Many farmers had good yields in recent years, which contributed to lower prices.

The 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) that James farms will be divided among corn, soybeans, sunflowers, and oats in 2026. He is keeping oats in the rotation to offset the risk of growing more niche crops. Corn and sunflowers require different harvesting equipment and need drying after harvest, so James will need more storage space.

James mentioned that finding suitable corn varieties has been challenging because they are selling out quickly. Marc Hutlet Seeds, a seed store near Steinbach, has seen an increase in sales of corn, soybeans, and canola. Sales associate Karis Hutlet noted that farmers often choose crops that performed well the previous year.

Hutlet also mentioned the possibility of introducing more specialty crops to Manitoba farms. Jill Verway, president of Keystone Agricultural Producers, stated that many farmers are looking for crops that will provide better profits as input costs rise. Despite challenges like a wet fall, farmers remain optimistic about the upcoming year.

Andrew James believes that Manitoba farmers have many options for profitable crops, including barley, edible beans, flax, and grasses. He remains hopeful about the future, stating, “Even though it could be a tougher year, I’m still very optimistic.”