* Crushers were noted buying after margins climbed in the past week. * Deferred months showed strongest gains, amid early dryness concerns across Western Canada. * March canola rose $2.90 to $527.30 a tonne on volume of 10,727 contracts. * May added $3.60 to $533.70 on volume of 7,537 contracts. * March-May spread traded 5,381 times, settling at a May premium of $6.40. * Chicago March soybeans gained 9-1/4 US cents to US$12.22-3/4 per bushel, rising on a weaker US dollar and firmer cash markets. March soyoil added 0.55 cent to 51.94 US cents per lb. * MATIF February rapeseed gained 1.9 percent. * The Canadian dollar was trading at $1.0009 against the US dollar or 99.91 US cents at 1:15 p.m. CST (1915 GMT), up from Wednesday's close at $1.0035 to the US dollar, or 99.65 US cents. Data showed new US unemployment benefit claims rose last week. * US crude oil futures gained 0.3 percent to US$99.70 per barrel.